I have no power to make anyone local government Chairman or Councilor –Ika South PDP Chairman, Jude Onya tells aspirants
in their campaigns. As the PDP Chairman in Ika South, I have been mandated to tell aspirants to calm down in their aspirations for various local governments Council seats because of the Corona virus pandemic and spend less. It is only the Almighty God and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa that have power to decide who should be a council Chairman or Councilor. Election of any aspirant will be largely based on absolute party loyalty. Don’t expect the support of the party when as an aspirant you are not loyal to Governor Okowa and the party. Please take this important message to the ward and unit levels. We want a better and stronger PDP; hence, we will not welcome anything that will give us problem. Let us continue to strive to work towards the overall growth of our great party.”
The PDP leader stressed the importance of payment of party dues by political office holders in the party, noting that payment of party dues may be personal but, it is seriously needed for the effective management of the party. He disclosed that his administration will accord priority attention to those who are faithful in the payment of their party dues, adding that no form of indiscipline will be tolerated in the party.
Meanwhile, Honourable Commissioner of Water Resources Development, Rt Hon, Barr Martin Okonta (PhD) stated that he completely agreed with the advice of the party Chairman, Jude Onya, noting that aspirants should thread cautiously in their campaigns as Covid-19 pandemic is still on in the state.
On his part, Pa John Nwagimeje, popularly known as, Guru pointed out that the leadership of the PDP both at the local government and ward levels have capacity to reach consensus on elective positions in the next Council election when the time comes. He called on young politicians in the local government to always respect their elders in the party.
For Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters to Governor Okowa, Hon Godwin Ezedom he spoke on internal democracy and the imposition of candidates especially at the ward levels. He opined that primary elections at the local government level should be conducted openly if consensus fails.
Executive Assistant on Political Matters to the governor, Rotn Peter Idion in his remark advised stakeholders of the party in the local government to jettison the idea of godfatherism and work collectively with the party.
“Ika South PDP belongs to all of us.It is not for only one man. One person cannot decide for all of us when it comes to decision making. Therefore, let us work faithfully and collectively with Governor Okowa and Jude Onya in order for us to move our great party forward”, Idion stated.
Speaking also, the immediate past Chairman of the party in the local government, on Collins Ewere Bello stated that every concerned member that is benefitting from the party must pay dues to the party. He stressed that any beneficiary who refused to pay dues does not want the progress or growth of the party.
“The task of managing our party is herculean, that is why we should not leave it in the hands of the Chairman alone,” Bello said.
In his vote of thanks, the executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board, Hon Sunny Ogwu, commended the leaders for the existing unity and support for Jude Onya, urging them to keep on with the good work.
Among those present at the meeting were the Ika South Local Government Council Chairman, Hon Barr Victor Okoh, Dr Chukwuma Nwaonicha, Ezinne Mrs. Cecilia Ogbonyeri, Chief Isioma Okonta, ward Chairmen, Hon Andrew Obiazi, Hon Ralph Azeh, Chief Dennis Araro, Hon Mrs. Cordelia Anyangwu, Elder Sam Nwa Igaumbor, Mrs.
Jude Onya
Some of the aspirants
