By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
An industrialist and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Imo State, Hon. Chief Joseph Ikunna, has expressed satisfaction over the emergence of Sir Chidi Dike as the new acting chairman of the party in Imo State. He described the development as expected by the party faithful towards reviving the fortunes of the opposition party which he noted had before now lost considerable relevance.
The Mgbidi, Oru West-born political leader, was addressing newsmen on Tuesday at the Imo State PDP Secretariat along Okigwe Road, Owerri, while reacting to the developments in the state chapter of the party. According to him, the emergence of Sir Dike following a court order that removed the former chairman, Engr. Charles Ugwu, was good for the party to be better positioned ahead of 2027 election.
He, however, expressed confidence that the party would reclaim what he posited was it stolen mandate of the last governorship election in the state through judicial process. He also solicited support for the new leadership, urging the party members, especially the aggrieved to embrace peace and reconciliation in order to make the party formidable.
His statement: “This is what we have been expecting and waiting for, and this has put most of the party together. With this, it is all about going back to talk to those we were not part of the structure that brought Samdaddy in November to embrace the reality. I believe that embracing reconciliation and unity is the best option for them as other political parties will not accommodation their interest effectively.
“I also believe that those who left will definitely come back because we want to involve everyone. The chairman has said it ‘no victor, no vanquish’ showing that the unity of the party is more important than anything else. And we intend to unify this party so that we can fight as one to take back this country in 2027 which is the ultimate.
“And remember the last Imo State governorship election and our stolen mandate that we want to recover is still in court and we are pursuing that relentlessly to make sure that we have a positive outcome. And having a positive outcome, I assure you that the people of Imo State would be triumphant and start to reap the benefits of democracy which the people are being denied for years. Surely, we are marching to the government house,” Owerri, he added.
It would be recalled that there was a change in Imo PDP leadership following a High Court, Akwa Division recent ruling which ordered the immediate past chairman of the party in the state, Chief Charles Ugwu to vacate office and his replacement with Sir Chidi Dike who would saddle the affairs of the party till the forthcoming congress.
