…I rededicate myself to PDP. I will make sure PDP be ones a winning machine in Enugu – Edeoga
Former Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections Rt. Hon.Chijioke Edeoga, has formerly returned to his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attributing his return to Governor Peter Mbah”s good governance in Enugu state..
Edeoga who expressed happiness to be back to his former party said it was “time for all to join hands with Governor Mbah in the great works he is doing in Enugu State”.
He promised to work for the party’s successes in the 2027 elections, saying,”I rededicate myself to PDP to make sure that the PDP becomes the winning machine in Enugu state”
Edeoga, arrived the party ‘s Secretariat located at No 1 Charles road,GRA, Enugu Monday morning at 11: 46am in a white and white kaftan and red cap for the formal presentation to the State party chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwuwike, amidst joy and loud ovation from party members.
Pix: State Chairman handing over PDP constitution to Hon. Edeoga
Speaking shortly after his presentation to the state chairman, Edeoga said ” a thing like this has not happened in Enugu state before. It took deliberate mental activities to achieve that”. He described the move as unprecedented noting that it is going to bring a paradigm shift in the political landscape of Enugu State.
“I want to say that I’m happy to be here. I want to start by thanking in a very special way, the Governor of Enugu State. I appreciate that what has happened today cannot begun to be conceived without his political involvement. By this gesture, he has demonstrated a mental state that is worthy of appreciation and that is worthy of being supported or rewarded to the extent that is humanly possible.
” A thing like this has never happened in the annals of Enugu State politics. It might look small, but it will cause a paradigm shift in the way politics is played in Enugu State. It is no longer something where you warehouse bitterness. It is no longer winner takes all. All those things that people have been trying to preach in Nigeria like accommodating everybody, are being demonstrated in Enugu State.
“So, I rededicate myself again to the PDP to make sure that the PDP remains a winning machine in Enugu State as it has always been. I am happy to be here. I appreciate all those who made it possible,” he said.
Edeoga noted that his return to the PDP would not be appreciated by some members of the society, explaining that it is time to unite as a family and form a formidable front ahead of 2027 elections.
He thanked the state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah for making it possible for him to return, his Eha-Amufu ward 11 members, the former PDP chairman Augustine Nnamani for the pivotal role he played, the Isiuzo local government chairman , Hon. Obiora Obeagu. He also thanked the PDP state chairman, Dr Chukwuwike for his efforts in bringing him back to the PDP
Pix: Edeoga
Receiving Edeoga back to the party, the Enugu state PDP chairman, Dr. Martin Chukwunwike welcomed him for coming back to his former party. He said Edeoga has come back to the party and it will not be taken for granted .
According to the chairman, Edeoga’s return to the party is a testament to Governor Peter Mbah”s good leadership . He assured that more aggrieved members who left the party in the past would soon rejoin the party
He commended Edeoga for being the first person to register as member since his assumption of office as apDP state chairman. Dr. Chukwuwike also thanked him for nurturing the spirit of oneness and brotherhood which motivated him to think of going back to the party
He described Edeoga’s return as strategic for Enugu PDP, and also had the full blessing of Governor Peter Mbah, whom he said, desired a united Enugu PDP.
“Our number one term of reference upon our election as the state’s party leadership is to reunite the party. His Excellency said that we must work to bring everybody together.
“So, today is a major step in that direction. With this move and many others like it to come, 2027 general elections will be a walkover for the PDP in Enugu State. So, we warmly welcome our brother and his supporters back,” he said.
Earlier on arrival, Edeoga was received by the state PDP chairman, Dr. Martins Chukwuwike , other state executive members, former party executives, local government chairmen , PDP Isiuzo Local Government Area officials and party members. He had a private talk with the state chairman, Dr.Chukwuwike before coming to the hall for the event.
Pix : Edeoga ,on arrival at the PDP state Secretariat
In his opening speech , the ward chairman of Eha-Amufu ward 111, Hon Onunze Uzochukwu ,(Edeoga:s ward chairman) said Edeoga registered at the ward on March 29,2025. He thanked the state Gove for supporting his return to the party.
On his part, the PDP Isiuzo Local Government chairman Jacob Abonyi said Edeoga has come back to the PDP, having registered in his ward on 29th March,2025. He thanked Edeoga for accepting to come back to the PDP .
Speaking also, the Chairman of Isi-uzo Local Government Area, Obiora Obeagu described Edeoga’s return to the PDP as a welcome development. He expressed the confidence that the party would now move stronger devoid of distractions and rancour .
“It is a welcome development. For me, I will say it is long expected, considering the conciliatory dispositions of our capable governor.
“From day one, the Governor has shown that after politics, we have governance. Not minding that the major opposition came from Isi-Uzo, Governor Peter Mbah started a lot of projects there. When the Smart Schools were first being awarded, Isi-Uzo got the next to the highest. That will show you the type of a leader he is.
“Beyond the Smart Green Schools, we have Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across all the wards. We have the almost completed 21.7km asphalt road going to our farm settlements as well as the ongoing 41km Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway to help open up the economic corridors and solve the problem of insecurity.
“These things are practical and there is nobody that will see them and will not want to come back to the PDP and join the governor in the good works he is doing to transform Enugu State.
“So, what has happened today has vindicated some of us in Isi-Uzo that supported Mbah in 2023. We made our choices then and today Hon. Edeoga is also making that same choice. It is a welcome development. I believe we are all one now and we are all going to join Governor Mbah to work for the interest of Ndi Enugu,” he stated.
Obeagu commended the state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah for making Edeoga’ s return possible. He also thanked the former PDP chairman Augustine Nnamani for the pivotal role he played, the Isiuzo local government chairman , Hon. Obiora Obeagu, and other stakeholders He also thanked the PDP state chairman, Dr Chukwuwike for his efforts in bringing him back to the PDP.
On his part, the state Deputy chairman of the PDP, Steve Orurua expressed happiness that Edeoga has returned to his former party. He added that his return will boost the chances of PDP winning election in the state in 2027.
It could be recalled that Edeoga had met with the leadership of Enugu State PDP behind closed doors on January 31, fueling speculations about his possible return to his former party.
Hon Edeoga had been in the PDP for more than 25 years before his defection to the Labour party. He held several elected and appointed positions in Enugu state and Abuja respectively.. He was a former Chairman,Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, former Commissioner, former House of Representatives member, former Special Adviser to the former president of Nigeria,Goodluck Jonathan among others.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of the PDP constitution to Hon. Chijioke Edeoga.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama
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