The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said that the strength of the party in Ebonyi and southeast was intact in spite of Gov. Dave Umahi’s defection to the ruling party.

National Chairman, Mr Uche Secondus said this in his remark at the 90th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP held at its national headquarters, wadata plaza, on Thursday in Abuja.

Secondus said that the PDP refused to be blackmailed on reasons given by Umahi for his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“You must have read the eventual defection of Umahi to the ruling APC on Tuesday and his provocative reason for an allegation of injustice against South East by the party.

“We have refused to join issues with him in any way but we cannot bow to any blackmail.

“What I can report to NEC is that the strength of our party in Ebonyi state and southeast is intact and the NWC has taken necessary steps to protect and guard it.

“The real season that informed this decision will soon be exposed,” the national chairman said.

Secondus, who briefed the NEC on PDP performance in Edo and Ondo governorship elections, said that the party was liaising with its members in the National Assembly to ensure that a fraud-free law was put in place ahead of 2023.

“Within our family also, we are putting all hands on deck to ensure we enter the next election stronger as one united and harmonious family.

“To achieve this, I solicit the full and undiluted cooperation of NEC.”

Secondus added that the NWC was continuing in its extensive consultations with critical stakeholders to ensure that no stone was left unturned for PDP to return to the presidency in 2023.

On EndSARS protest, Secondus advised the Federal Government to address the fundamental issues raised by the youths rather than adopting strategies to intimidate perceived leaders of the peaceful protest.

He said that peaceful protest was a right in every democracy and guaranteed by the country’s constitution.

The chairman who decried the manner in which the Federal Government was handling the affairs of the youth, said that PDP must work hard to ensure that Nigerian youths were once again, given a voice in the country.


“Our party will, as a matter of policy, restore the hope of our youths.

“We hereby invite the Nigeria youths to avail themselves of the ample opportunity in our party to participate in the political process ahead of the 2023 election,” he said.

The Chairman, PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambulwa, said that the presence of 15 PDP governors at the meeting was a testimony that they were working together for the unity and stability of the party.

Tambulwal said that the PDP governors were committed to good governance and providing leadership in their respective states.

“We will continue to make our party proud, continue to make our electorate proud and we are repositioning our party for the future with the last drop of our blood.”

The Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, said that the PDP members in the National Assembly would ensure that any legislation to gag social media was not passed into law.

Abaribe said that the PDP lawmakers would also work for the amendment of the Electoral Act to ensure that electorate votes always counted.

“We also want to use this opportunity to appeal to the national party that as we work towards the 2023 elections, party discipline will be most important to us.

“Our members need to always be sure that they can depend on the national party for protection in and wherever they are,” Abaribe said.

The leaders of the party at the NEC meeting during secondus remarks displayed placards with different inscriptions such as #Stop borrowing, #Stop mortgaging our future, and #Account for borrowed Funds.

Others were #Stop the Persecution of #Endsars Youth Protesters, #Respect Nigeria Youths; #Give Nigeria Youths a Voice and #No to censoring of Social media.

Wikes ass licker. Go and sit down. Umahi for Presido! The man Nigeria needs

MOLOTOVcockTAIL:
Wikes ass licker. Go and sit down. Umahi for Presido! The man Nigeria needs

You guys just like calling names without reasoning.
Do you think it's easier for him to realize his ambition in APC than in PDP?

First, I like Umahi. What you guys only needed in PDP was to build bridges and try convincing some sections of the North, SW and then take advantage of the party's strength in South East and South South but no...all you did was create enemies and insult everyone like you are doing now.

APC will defo disintegrate before 2023. Even if it doesn't those with entrenched interests in the party even within the south East like Okorocha, kalu, Ngige etc will suffocate him. Buhari will pretend he doesn't interfere and a northerner will become their flag bearer.

deep down, Secondus does not believe this

Umahi eye go soon clear...then he'll realize how ass lickers don't end well...As much as I understand his reason for defection to be in his interest...him no play this game well.

The north can never sit calm and watch him be the president, not now...so his defection actually changes nothing.... maybe he'll go for senate seat after his second term...that can be the only compensation I can think of.

In all, I wish you all the best My Governor!

who cares

Bleep Secondus and Wike and Abia state PDP too.

Thirdudus, no way for that reckless statement..

A sitting governor for that matter

PDP's tears are so delicious to me. They've been crying us a river since Umahi joined APC. You took Igbos for granted but now they're leaving your party you started around like headless chickens.

Wike has destroyed PDP with his thug attitude.

Tranquill:

[s]
You guys just like calling names without reasoning.
Do you think it's easier for him to realize his ambition in APC than in PDP?

First, I like Umahi. What you guys only needed in PDP was to build bridges and try convincing some sections of the North, SW and then take advantage of the party's strength in South East and South South but no...all you did was create enemies and insult everyone like you are doing now.

APC will defo disintegrate before 2023. Even if it doesn't those with entrenched interests in the party even within the south East like Okorocha, kalu, Ngige etc will suffocate him. Buhari will pretend he doesn't interfere and a northerner will become their flag bearer.[/s]

Garbage for the trash bin! There are still two SE governors in PDP, many senators, many HOR members and so many others. Umahi's defection to APC does not mean Igbos have totally abandoned PDP. On the contrary, they're wisely spreading their eggs in different baskets.

No doubt
They love being slave to that party

Watch how Umahi will go into political Oblivion with this move

what do you expect an umbrella to say during dry season

EastisBae:


Garbage for the trash bin! There are still two SE governors in PDP, many senators, many HOR members and so many others. Umahi's defection to APC does not mean Igbos have totally abandoned PDP. On the contrary, they're wisely spreading their eggs in different baskets.

Igboid, I have warned you to at least show some respect whenever you want to quote me. We know you've just completed your OND from Nekede polytechnic which is commendable, but it doesn't give you the license to be rude.

Thank you.

Politics in Nigeria is a calculated risk.

Apc n pdp na the same thing

Tranquill:


Igboid, I have warned you to at least show some respect whenever you want to quote me. We know you've just completed your OND from Nekede polytechnic which is commendable, but it doesn't give you the license to be rude.

Thank you.

Something is really wrong with you. You keep calling me Igboid, are you okay at all? So anyone that makes objective analysis immediately becomes Igboid? What's your obsession with him? Did he snatch your wife or what?

This is now becoming so ridiculous.

Lol
Wike and secondus think is those days they prey on our brotherliness
Well is over for pdp in south east even wike can never enter south east to talk rubbish
His gra gra end in river state
For secondus he should watch his back
Is no longer funny

Umahi defected to APC Nd a minister from his state neva Made a statement to dat, even APC southeast neva made statements, I think he only consulted d presidency for his defection, umahi u hav made big mistake politically,ur defection now by ur mere reason is too early

PDP has got to be the worst opposition Nigeria has ever hard.. Very useless and worthless opposition


We have numerous others in PDP from South East, ọya give us the ticket.. Umahi isn't the only igbo person

PDP kept preying on the brotherliness of the south east but enough is enough

NNEWIsuper:
PDP has got to be the worst opposition Nigeria has ever hard.. Very useless and worthless opposition


We have numerous others in PDP from South East, ọya give us the ticket.. Umahi isn't the only igbo person

PDP kept preying on the brotherliness of the south east but enough is enough

See what PDP has turned Abia state into. Abia state is the most backward state in Nigeria.