Imo PDP Denies Defection of Members to APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has dismissed reports that some of its members defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the APC stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday, December 20, 2024.

In a statement released by the State Publicity Secretary, Lancelot Obiaku, the party clarified that none of its members had joined the ruling APC.

Obiaku described the reports as a “publicity stunt,” insisting that the individuals in question were never members of the PDP.

“We categorically state that one Mr. Chris Okewulonu and any other who were the subject of such paid publicity stunt were not members of the PDP before their purported defection to APC last Friday,” Obiaku said.

He accused the individuals of aligning with the APC long before their alleged defection, noting that they had campaigned for the APC candidate during the 2023 governorship election.

“Those were men who had been wining and dining long ago with the APC and even openly campaigned for its candidate in the 2023 Governorship election against the collective wish and agreement of their kinsmen,” he added.

Obiaku emphasized that the PDP had already disassociated itself from these individuals before their claimed defection. He further challenged them to provide evidence of their membership in the PDP, stating that the party’s register did not contain their names at the ward level.

“It is unbelievable and laughable that those acclaimed members of the party were not known by their ward leaders,” he remarked.

Obiaku described the situation as a desperate attempt by the APC to use the name of the PDP to create relevance and portray a false sense of popularity.

“The truth is that it was a ridiculous publicity stunt, using the name of PDP to create relevance for themselves and give the false impression that there is any good thing about Imo APC to attract members of the PDP to the dwindling party,” he stated.

He also urged individuals who wish to associate with political parties to do so without misrepresenting the PDP.

“While people have their inalienable right and freedom of association, like in the case of Okewulonu and co, who associated with a certain Rebuild Imo Political group that has nothing to do with the PDP, we encourage people who want to identify with any political party, no matter how bad or unpopular, to do so without tagging another party, especially the PDP, to it, as such could come with consequences,” Obiaku warned.

The PDP reiterated its commitment to addressing the needs of its members and strengthening its structures in Imo State ahead of future elections.