25th March 2022, will remain indelible in the hearts of the good people of Isuikwuato/Umuneochi as eminent personalities, dignitaries, political heavy weights and thousands of loyalists converged at the “Uturu” hometown of Eminent Business mogul and profound Politician, Chief Amobi Ogah into the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
From the political cadre, the entrepreneurship community, friends, family and other spheres of human endeavours, they came out in droves to celebrate the official declaration of an astute Political gladiator who spearheaded the propagation his ‘former’ party the All Progressive’s Congress (APC) in Abia-North Senatorial District into the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
And for the People’s Democratic Party in Abia state it was a Big win , it was time to align and gloriously receive a distinct personality of his kind into their fold.
Amobi’s formal declaration comes weeks after dumping the APC alongside thousands of his supporters in Abia state under his platform “UgoAbia”. In show of solidarity and support the Umunneochi Progressive Minds (UPM) Abuja Branch had already purchased the nomination and expression of interest forms of the PDP for Chief Amobi Ogah to contest for Isuikwuato/ Umunneochi federal constituency seat in 2023. Dumping his former party, Amobi Ogah cited the basis of the crisis in APC and his zeal to end the unfairness metted on his Isuikwuato people as a result of their 16 years marginalisation from producing a candidate to represent both local governments at the Green Chambers.
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The epoch political themed occasion was held at Uturu, the Onuaku Primary School Field was beautifully decorated to a befitting carnival standards, filled with various groups adoring different colourful attires, banners of various political support groups, music band groups, traditional dancers and observers.
The calibre of PDP dignitaries who graced the event attested to the fact that Amobi’s defection to the ruling party in the state was a dream come true and is expected to pave way for other Top Notch heavy weights in the APC and other political parties to join the PDP.
From the commencement of the event till the curtain was drawn, the political shindig was characterised with elements of a first class political rally. The retinue of political stalwarts present at the event include; Abia State PDP Party Chairman Alwell Asiforo ; South East zonal chairman of the PDP, Chief Ali Odefa;Deputy Chairman, Hon. Obinna Nwachukwu; Chairman Ebonyi chapter , Mr Tochukwu Okorie; Abia North PDP Zonal Chairman, Elder Amah Abraham; Umunneochi State Constituency in the Abia House of Assembly, Barr Okey Igwe; Isuikwuato Local Government Chairman, Hon Chima Agbaeze; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Barr Eze Chikamnayo; Isuikwuato PDP chairman, Emenike Charles Chinyere; PDP state woman leader; Immediate past Commissioner for Sports, Hon Emeka Ikwuagwu; other PDP state and ward Executives; Commissioners; UgoAbia movement Political structure and other notable individuals.
In reverence to God Almighty, prayers were offered despite the event being Political in nature, followed by speeches from various individuals who took time to welcome Amobi into their fold. Most of them took time to elucidate his capacity and political sagacity, stating that being an already established successful entrepreneur with over 3000 direct and indirect workers , Amobi will no doubt contribute to the growth of the PDP in and beyond the state.
Shortly after the introductory addresses , Ogah in his address to the mammoth crowd assured that his return to the PDP will herald the era of added greatness to the fortunes of the party. He said; when we formed, not too young to run, Chima Anyaso was part of it , that is why when I was here in the other party (APC) , I told them to allow us to go to the field because I know the road.
“In 2014 I brought the APC to Abia North as then my brother was contesting for Governorship and I told him that the APC will win the Presidency , he said it’s a lie and I told him let’s watch , people didn’t believe but I was calm because I knew that the APC will win, but now I have come again to declare that PDP will take over come 2023. If you’re yet to join the PDP please go and register and obtain your registration card.
Urging the party leadership not to be perturbed, Ogah added that with hew alliance with the PDP , the party will soon witness the influx of stalwarts from other opposition parties in the State. He also urged the party leadership to be fair and just in the conduct of its primary elections, stressing that only credible candidates with capacity and capability should be considered.
His words ; “When people like us join the party , Mr. Chairman goes and sleeps. I will bring more men of Timber and Calibre that will make things happen. The time has gone when Tickets will be reserved for a particular person, now we are talking about capability, capacity and the interest of the people. My only appeal to the party is for it to look out for credible candidates to represent us , so that at the end of the day we shall all be Happy. We shall not disappoint you , we will make you proud.
Amobi expressed optimism that the PDP will take over all lost seats, ranging from the Isuikwuato State Constituency seat,to the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency seat,the Abia North seat,as well as the Presidency. In his speech, Chief Amobi Ogah assured the party of a landslide victory come 2023, stating that with him in the PDP, the party can go to sleep.
Abia North PDP Zonal Chairman, Elder Amah Abraham in his speech, stated that the Amobi Ogah’s defection to the PDP, was simply a public testimony of what the country is going through under the APC. He said Nigerians are not happy with what the APC is doing to the economy, adding that very soon, APC would witness massive defection of members to the PDP.
“Isuikwuato used to be one of the strong holds of the PDP, but somehow during the last general elections, the party lost all its seats due to the inability to balance differences in the party. Thus, this defection is our 2023 testimony”,he added.
Also, the Member representing Umunneochi State Constituency in the Abia House of Assembly, Barr Okey Igwe, described the return of Amobi Ogah to the PDP as a guarantee that the party would recover all lost seats.
While welcoming Amobi Ogah back to the Party, Barr Igwe noted that politics was a game of number, therefore, he is happy over Ogah’s return to the party, alongside his supporters.
The Isuikwuato Local Government Chairman, Hon Chima Agbaeze, said he is fulfilled with Amobi Ogah’s return, stating that the Governor of the state, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, would always instruct them to ensure they reconcile aggrieved members who left the party for one reason or the other, adding that Ogah’s defection is a proof of such wooing.
Hon Chima Agbaeze further noted that Ogah’s defection was highly significant, as it would herald a new chapter for the PDP in the area come 2023, assuring the over 500 decampees of the party’s readiness to accommodate and carry them along in the scheme of things. Also, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Barr Eze Chikamnayo, lauded the sterling qualities of Chief Amobi Ogah,who he described as a grassrooter, intelligent and vibrant politician that can add great value to the PDP. The Commissioner welcomed him home, urging him to answer the call of his people come 2023.
The Abia North Zonal Chairman, expressed delight over the defection of Chief Amobi Ogah, stating that his defection would help the PDP recover the Isuikwuato State House of Assembly seat and also the Federal House seat.
Chairman of the state chapter of the party, Hon. Alwell Asiforo welcomed Amobi into the party’s fold , he lauded his decision to dump the All Progressive’s Congress describing it as a wise motive.
“What our brother Amobi Ogah is very significant, in life there must be a time to take a decision, either you take a decision that will lead you to greatness or the one that will lead you to doom. But this one that he has taken today shows that he knows his way and he is wise. From today you and your supporters that joined APC will see a new life. You will see a better life, Alwell stated.
Harping on fairness and credible elections, Asiforo assured Amobi that a level playing ground will be put in place for all aspirants to contest for various offices. He emphasised that the party will eschew the imposition of candidates urging all political aspirants to campaign and engage vigorously with all relevance stakeholders of the party from the state , local government and ward levels.
His words “Today will give you an umbrella that will cover you under the sun and under the rain. Our umbrella is very large to accommodate all of you. The difference between the PDP and other parties is that our party, the PDP, is a party owned by everybody . It is a party that when it’s time for primaries we all vote and a winner is declared.
“We are not like other parties that impose candidates from the superiors at the top at Abuja. In our party, every position is contested and in the forthcoming primary we are going to give everybody a level playing ground to contest and compete. Anyone interested in contesting must engage with the delegates in every local government and ward and one that is chosen by the people of Isuikwuato will be our candidate.
Highpoint of the event was the burning down of APC brooms by Chief Ogah and his supporters and the handing over of the PDP umbrella to him. Present at the event, were the South East zonal chairman of the PDP, Chief Ali Odefa the Abia PDP State Working Committee, among others
Nonso Kalu a public commentator writes from Umuahia.
