* As Party Carpets APC, Okorocha
The Peoples Democratic Party in Imo State Friday debunked reports that the party in the State belongs to an individual.
Addressing journalists at the State party secretariat in Owerri, the State party Chairman, Chief Barr Charles Babatunde Ezekwem, said the insinuation is a wicked rumour circulated by enemies of the party. He said the PDP in Imo State is too large to be owned by one man or for one man to dictate what happens within the party.
Flanked by State party executive members and faithful, Ezekwem said the party is a broad based party with its membership spanning across the various linguistic, religious or ethnic divides in the country.
“Our membership is not discriminatory. How then can only one man own or monopolize the party” he said
Ezekwem assured all aspirants of fair-play, urging them to any elective positions to feel free and approach the party for forms and other necessary requirements.
He announced that the party has equally relaxed its waiver for intending members of the party.
“The idea behind this, is to encourage those joining or rejoining the party to enjoy equal opportunities like other members who may wish to vie for any elective position ahead of the 2019 general elections” Ezekwem said
He said the party has reinvigorated its operations at the ward, local government and state levels, stating that the State Working Committee has introduced innovations which will make the wards very vibrant, pro active as the hub of the party’s political interaction.
The Chairman announced the set up of an Integrity Club, which he described as an agglutination of Imo people of like minds who are desirous of partnership with the PDP.
Ezekwem took a swipe at the Rochas Okorocha administration of the APC describing it as “a representation of reckleness, corruption, callousness, nepotism, thuggery and irritating deception”
The Party Chairman condemned the assault on the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Catholic Diocese, Archbishop Obinna.
“ Never in the history of governance in this State, have we seen such irresponsible behavior on the party of government officials, ditto for the level of corruption and nepotism that have characterized Okorocha’s administration unabatedly” he said
He called on Imolites to procure their Permanent Voters Card which is a legitimate weapon to enthrone a welfarist and democratic party like the PDP after promising to return power to the people when re- elected.
“ We are prepared to clean the Augean stable of the APC and fix the State again from 2019. We need the support of Imo people and Nigerians and by God’s grace, we shall put Imo and Nigeria back on track” he said.
