Abraham is new Abia PDP Chairman
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Elder Amah Abraham was, early morning of Monday, November 4, 2024, elected the new Chairman of Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Elder Abraham, the immediate past PDP Vice Chairman (Abia North), beat five other contestants to emerge the new Abia PDP helmsman during a keenly contested primary to choose a new leadership for the party in the state. Delegates from the 17 local government areas of the state graced the event, held at the Sacramento Event Centre in Umuahia from Sunday, November 3, 2024.
Elder Abraham, who has also been acting as the Publicity Secretary of Abia PDP since the occupant of the position, Fabian Nwankwo, resigned last year to contest for the Umunneochi State Constituency seat in the Abia House of Assembly, secured 1, 264 votes to beat his rivals in the primary, which saw Barr. Olugu Kalu Ugba, scoring 395 votes to place a distant second.
Other contestants included James Okpara, Amb. Godwin Okoro, Barr Kingsley Imaga (38 votes), and Chief Ukwu Rocks Emma (1 vote).
At the zonal level, Onwuka Kalu was elected Vice Chairman for Abia North, Chief Gabriel Elendu (Abia Central) and a former Chief Press Secretary to the immediate past Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Enyinnaya Apollos, emerged for Abia South, while Chief Eric Dwyse Ikwuagwu emerge as the party’s Publicity Secretary.
The newly elected chairman, whose victory is seen as a reward for hard work, loyalty and dedication, while speaking to newsmen, vowed to reposition Abia PDP through robust engagements reconciling aggrieved members, and bringing back those that left the party, to make it stronger. “This is a new dawn for Abia PDP,” Abraham said as he promised to pursue the ideals of PDP founding fathers.
He expressed gratitude to the party stakeholders and delegates for finding him to serve the party as its Chairman in Abia.
The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Senator Austin Akobundu, after voting, commended the delegates for their peaceful conduct,, describing the primary as transparent.
The Senator said as an election, only one winner would emerge in a particular position, and urged the winners to carry everyone along.“The winner wins for everybody,” he said.
A former Commissioner for Information in the state, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, charged the new executive to pursue one mandate which is to bring back those who left the party.
According to Kalu, the future of the party starts from the emergence of the new leaders, adding that though people left because they were aggrieved, the new party leadership should do all they could to bring them back.
The Congress’ Returning Officer and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, after successfully conducting the Congress, acknowledged, commended the party delegates for their peaceful disposition which made for a seamless exercise.
