By CHARLES IWUOHA

Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ebonyi State chapter have rejected the constituted Caretaker Committee announced by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

They also threatened to resign en-masse from the party if the caretaker committee is not replaced by the agreed list emanating from the stakeholders in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by 71 members and stakeholders of the party which was made available to News Express in Abakiliki on Friday.

According to the statement, “The NWC mandated the PDP stakeholders and members present to nominate a candidate each from the 13 local government areas of the state to serve in a new Caretaker committee to be immediately inaugurated.

“The Ebonyi State PDP members subsequently made nominations, while the NWC announced that it reserves the right to appoint the Chairman and Secretary from any part of the Southeast.”

However, when the party released the new Caretaker Committee list on Friday it was discovered that the earlier submitted list had been replaced by the National Working Committee.

The stakeholders declared that “From the above conduct of the PDP NWC, it is now crystal clear that they are either working as undertakers for the final burial of the PDP in Ebonyi State, or they are being misguided by arch-enemies of the PDP in Ebonyi State.

“We hereby state categorically that if the NWC reneges on the collectively agreed-upon list of new caretaker committee as submitted by the various local government chapters of the PDP in Ebonyi State, we may not have any other option than to resign from the PDP.

“We have sacrificed personal and individual resources and comfort to stay true and loyal to the PDP in Ebonyi State in the face of organised intimidation, harassment and subterfuge plots. It is, therefore, curious that the National leadership of our great party looks reluctant to help the party stay strong in Ebonyi State.”

Among those who signed the letter include, Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu, the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections, Sen. Michael Amah Nnachi, Barr. Onwe S. Onwe, former Acting National Secretary of the PDP, Lagos-based business mogul, Chief Julius Amah and Dr. Paul Okorie a former governorship aspirant.

Others include Hon. Chris Usulor, Hon. Franca Okpo, Hon Victor Aleke, Chief John Igboke, Chief Ekuma Igbota, Chief Amah Ugo Orji, Chief Abia Onyike, among many others.