The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued an open apology to Abians for failing to meet their expectations over the years.
The party acknowledged that this shortfall contributed to its defeat in the last gubernatorial election in the state.
Addressing journalists at the PDP secretariat on Thursday in Umuahia after the party’s stakeholders’ meeting, Vice Chairman and Acting Publicity Secretary Abraham Amah stated that the party had learned from its significant mistakes and was ready to correct them.
He emphasized the party’s commitment to doing things differently this time, using the lessons learned to chart a new course. Amah expressed satisfaction that the party remained intact across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state.
He also conveyed optimism that the Abia PDP would recover, particularly with several political heavyweights expected to join the party soon.
When asked about the recent defections within the party, Amah likened it to a tree shedding its dried leaves to make way for fresh ones.
Amah, a former political adviser to the Abia governor, noted that the PDP family had grown large over the years, and due to a lack of cohesion, the party suffered in the last election.
“It is customary for an Iroko tree to shed its leaves during the dry season. That doesn’t mean the end of the tree, but to create an avenue for the tree to grow new leaves.
“In the past few months, our party has witnessed some shedding. It’s a necessary change which we are managing.
“Nature abhors vacuum. People left the party, but in the coming days more political heavyweights will be joining the party to replace the ones that left.
“Once you vacate your seat, another will definitely take over. PDP remains strong, we are not deterred. We remain the party to beat come 2027,” Amah said.
Earlier during the stakeholders’ meeting, the immediate past Governor of the State, Okezie Ikpeazu, declared that the era of imposed leadership was over in the party. He emphasized that members would now have the freedom to choose their leaders.
In the same meeting, the Abia State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asiforo Okere, encouraged party members to stay resolute and maintain their support for the party.
The stakeholders’ meeting was the first since the party’s defeat in the 2023 polls.
