The People’s Democratic Party, PDP on Wednesday re-elected Ali Odefa and Ugwu James Okechukwu as Deputy Vice Chairman and Secretary respectively for the South East zone.
In the election which was held at the Okpara square, Enugu saw other executive officers of the party reelected. Those reelected include National Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Legal Adviser, and National Auditor.
Addressing delegates and party faithfuls at the conference, the leader of the People’s Democratic Party in the South East and governor of Enugu state, Peter Mbah thanked everyone who had gathered saying that democracy is the power of the people in action.
“The sea of heads in this arena this afternoon fills me with so much pride. It is a potent reminder that democracy is a participatory endeavour and our party, PDP, is always committed to that ideal
“Your resilience is amazing. It reflects your steadfast belief in our great party, PDP
“We’re gathered here to elect new Zonal executive committee members of our great party. This is what democracy is all about. Like I’ve always emphasised, election is never an end in itself and neither should victory raising from it be construed as personal triumph.
“We fully understand the demands and expectations of the people in a democratic setting. The bottom line is good governance. This is the ideal which our great party, PDP, has committed itself to right from inception
“That’s why, for us in Enugu State, the people remain the centrepiece of our government policies. The improvement of their welfare is not a task we regard with levity. It reflects our determination to ensure that the provision of basic services can, indeed take for granted by the people
“Democracy is beyond the squabble for office and power. It is about the people. We cannot emphasize that enough
“When we describe the PDP as a great party, It’s not just a borrowed mantra. The party’s greatness is derived from its capacity to reinvent itself and retain its national appeal in the face of challenges
“The South East has always been the bastion of PDP. We carry the banner of PDP with immense pride and honour. We must ensure that that remains so. This should be uppermost in our minds as we cast our ballots this afternoon. As we do so, we strongly affirm that unity is strength; that the best we crave for our party can only be attained if we remain united
“To those who will emerge as party officers, I offer you my heartfelt congratulations. But the biggest congratulations goes to everyone here for your faith in democratic values. There’ll be no loser here today. Everyone is a victor when democracy prevails”. Mbah stated.
Meanwhile in his acceptance speech on behalf of all reelected officers, the National Vice Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party PDP South East, Ali Odefa said that What a lot of people thought would not be possible has been made possible.
He thanked governor Peter Mbah for his sacrifice for the party despite the enormous jobs he’s doing in Enugu.
“Stakeholders from the zone should join hands with Mbah to rebuild this party in the region. We also want to appreciate all the delegates that voted for us today and reposed your confidence in us. It is our promise and our pledge that we will not let you down, we will make you proud. We have a fresh mandate of four years and within this period we will right all the wrongs in our party
“I also want to use this medium to appeal to our brothers and sisters who may feel aggrieved with this process and this outcome to sheet their sword, let us come together and build a party that all of us can be proud of”. Odefa said.
Dignitaries present at the Congress include former governors of Ebonyi and Enugu state, Dr. Sam Egwu and Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Senate President, Sen Adolphus Wabara, former deputy governor of Abia state, Udeh Oko Chukwu, Senate minority leader, Sen. Osita Ngwu, Nnoli Nnaji, immediate past Enugu state PDP Chairman, Augustine Nnamani amongst others.