Imo PDP Chairman Ezekwem Defects To APC

Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State Charles Ezekwem has defected to All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a letter of January 25, Ezekwem said his decision to abandon PDP followed approval by his supporters and circumstances facing his party.

The letter reads: “In view of the prevailing circumstances within my party, vis-a-vis my present standing as chairman of PDP in Imo State, and after due consultations with my family and with the approval of my supporters, I tender my resignation as chairman and member of the party in my Okigwe ward.

“I thank the people who elected me as their chairman. I sincerely regret the inconveniences the party faced. I thank the party for the support they gave me and the opportunity to serve in that capacity.”

An official of APC described Ezekwem as a big catch.

He said: “We’ve shifted the celebration of Ezekwem’s defection to a later date because of the tragic death of one of us, Ndubuisi Emenike. But I can assure you Governor Hope Uzodinma will officially welcome Ezekwem into the party in a large ceremony.”

He added that a former senator on PDP platform would soon join APC to give credence to the fact the Imo is an APC state.

Ezekwem’s resignation follows the defection of PDP’s Deputy National Auditor Regis Uwakwe to APC following Uzodinma’s victory at the Supreme Court.

Nine Assembly members defected to APC. Four left Action Alliance (AA); two from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and three from PDP.

PDP has accepted Ezekwe’s resignation. A statement by Publicity Secretary Damian Oparah reads: “The attention of Peoples Democratic Party in Imo State has been drawn to the resignation of the Chairman, Charles Ezekwem.

“The party accepts the resignation, and notes that this is a trying time for the party and its members. We thank Ezekwem for his selfless services to the party.

“We wish Ezekwem well in his future political endeavours, and assure him that if he needs to return our umbrella will still be big enough to accommodate him.”