By CHARLES IWUOHA

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State in the 2023 election, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has said that the party remains a grassroots movement in the state.

Odii who was reacting to the defection of some members of the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC,

Stated that the defections is rather providing an opportunity for the PDP to “genuinely restrategise” ahead of coming elections.

In a statement he personally signed on Friday, Odii urged members and supporters of PDP to remain steadfast as the party remained ready to build for the task ahead.

He noted that the PDP and the “Anyi ”Ga Emeya Movement” were not bothered but rather focused on the task ahead.

The statement read in part: “In the last few months there has been series of defections from one party to another across various political parties in many states in Nigeria, Ebonyi State inclusive.

“The defections in some cases are a direct aftermath of the contentious 2023 general elections which shook Nigeria to its core through the various loopholes and manipulations caused by combined forces of anti-democratic elements and power mongers who tried to usurp the power of the people, in some others it is strictly driven by personal survival needs.

“In Ebonyi, a state where our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has firmly been established for over 20 years, the gale of defections also reared its head.

“Many of our party members, supporters and lovers of democracy and good governance have inundated many of our leaders, myself inclusive with calls and messages, many expressing concern on the health of our party in Ebonyi State.

“Indeed, Nigeria is a multi-party democracy where our constitution guarantees the right of everyone to belong to any legal organisation of their choice including political parties.

“In our dear PDP in Ebonyi State, many people have decided to leave and join other political parties of their choice and we do not have any intension of stopping them, it is strictly their call.

“It is important, however, that we state clearly that the PDP Family in Ebonyi State is not perturbed by these defections. In fact, we see a great opportunity, an opportunity to rebuild, an opportunity to re-strategise, an opportunity to form a formidable party that is focused and ready for victory.

“Our party members and supporters must understand that it is in our best interest that persons who may have been a clog in the wheels of the party voluntarily give way for genuine, patriotic, honourable and selfless members who are ready to work and build our state.

“There is no doubt that the PDP is organically ingrained at the grassroots in Ebonyi State, and the people are eager that the party groom genuine members who will stand by the ideals of our great party which is clearly rooted in our motto: POWER TO THE PEOPLE.

“There is no doubt that the emergence of credible people in leadership as witnessed in the Obidient movement during the 2023 general election and the victory of the Senegalese new President-elect, Bassirou Diomaye Faye indicate clearly that the peoples power trumps political parties or even government in power.

“It is established, the power resides in the people and the people alone.

“I therefore call on all members of our great party and supporters of the Anyi’Ga Emeya movement to rest assured that we remain on ground, and we remain focused.

“We are determined to take advantage of the opportunities being presented already to rejig our party for the task ahead.