Abia, Imo people reject PDP reconciliation

Biola Azeez, Umuahia - 01.05.2008

The Jim Nwobodoled reconciliation committee set up by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the (PDP) to reconcile all factions and aggrieved members of the party in the South-East was, on Wednesday, booed and accused by party members in Abia State of working for the return of Orji Uzor Kalu, Governors Ikedi Ohakim and Theodore Orji of Imo and Abia respectively.

The 15-member committee, which was also verbally attacked by PDP faithful for working for the PPA, later met with the executive members of the party in the state and resolved to continue the meeting aimed at harmonising the seven-point terms of reference presented by the Abia PDP.

The meetings held at the Empire Hotel, Umuahia, saw Chief Nwobodo presenting the opening speech, saying the committee was in Abia state to sustain peace. He debunked the speculation that the committee was set up to bring Kalu, Ohakim and Orji back into the party, adding that the national executive of the party was unhappy that it had only two states in the South-East.

He said there was the need for reconciliation, adding that the committee was not being controlled as being speculated. Also speaking, the chairman of the PDP in the state, Ndidi Okereke, argued that there was no faction in the Abia PDP, adding that what the party should focus on was the appeal of the party against the ruling party in the state and not any other matter.

With this statement, the party members chorused in affirmation, saying “go go go “. The PDP party chairman also accused the committee of keeping the party in the dark, saying they do not have terms of reference for the meeting, and that they have in-built party mechanism to settle whatever problem they may have.