The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has accused the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, of orchestrating the expulsion of Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere in an attempt to undermine his influence within the party.
The executives of the party at Umukegwu/Umuopia ward and Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State made the allegation in a statement issued on Monday.
Reports had earlier emerged that Ugochinyere, who is a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ideato North/Ideato South federal constituency of Imo State and spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties, had been expelled from the party.
However, the local council leaders described the alleged expulsion as fake news and reaffirmed Ugochinyere’s membership and leadership role in the party.
Speaking via the statement signed by Umukegwu/Umuopia ward chairman, Chief Mathias Onuebunwa and Ideato North LGA PDP chairman, Chief Emeka Eze, the executives said Ugochinyere remains a respected figure in the PDP.
The letter reads, “Ikenga is a strong member of the PDP, and we at the ward and local government levels will never have any reason to suspend him, not to talk of expelling him. Rather we owe him a debt of salute and confidence for his courageous battle to rescue the PDP from political traitors who are in bed to sell the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, led by Anyanwu and Damagun, under the guidance of their paymaster, working as minister for the APC.
“Ikenga is above such dreams of political kids whose efforts to please their disgraced paymasters can’t bother Ikenga, who is the state leader of Imo PDP since he is the highest officer elected today under PDP. We have our confidence in our leader.”
The statement averred that the 27 PDP local council chairmen in Imo State also issued a resolution following an emergency meeting where they declared Ugochinyere as the state leader of the party.
The chairmen passed a vote of confidence in the federal lawmaker, citing his position as the highest-ranking elected PDP official in the state.
They reportedly tasked Ugochinyere with leading efforts to restructure and reconcile the party.