By Henry Umoru

ABUJA—THE Abia State governor, Theodore Orji yesterday dumped the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Orji who was at the PDP Secretariat to formalize his return to the party was led by the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Martins Elechi where he said that with his action, the people of the State have been liberated.

According to him, he was prepared to instal true democracy in Abia State where there will be government of the people, for the people and by the people, adding that Abians scattered because there was no true democracy in the state.

It will be recalled that in the last few weeks, there have been series of  meetings between the governor and the leadership of the party led by the National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo on the need for him to return to the party.

According to him,  “Now we have been able to liberate Abia State for which all of you know what I am talking about. The sustenance of this liberation  is important and it will come from you and I. You will help me to do it.

 “I have come to retaliate; I have come to reciprocate; I have come to give honour and respect to whom honour is due and for coming to Abia to say great things about me.”

It will also be recalled that intrigues over Governor Orji to return to the PDP thickened after Chief Kalu returned to the PDP and to pave way for him to return, the National Working Committee, NWC, of the PDP last week dissolved the state executive committee of the party to accommodate Orji and his supporters in the running of the party.

Orji who said he had already formalized his return by re-registering at his ward, however, informed Nwodo and other members of the NWC that at the appropriate time, he would make further clarifications on his return to the party.
With the Abia State governor at the Secretariat were Senator Ike Nwachukwu, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Ojo Maduekwe, Senators Enyinaya Abaribe, Uche Chukwumerijie, Nkechi Nwaogu, Onyema Ugochukwu, Mao Ohabunwa, among others.

Responding, the PDP National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo who hailed the Ebonyi State governor for facilitating the return of Orji to the PDP, said, “his comeback has brought back the magic wand that has united factions in Abia.”

Nwodo who assured him that President Goodluck Jonathan will attend the formal declaration  in Abia, pleaded with all stakeholders in the state to join hands with Orji to develop the state.