Marble Arch Hotel Awka was filled to the brim yesterday on the occasion of 13th Stakeholders Meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The event was well attended by public servants, political strategists and captains of industry.
Very reputable leaders of the party like Mr Peter Obi, Sen Ben Obi, Prof ABC Nwosu, Sen Joy Emordi, Chief Maxwell Okudo, Chief Casmir Ugwu, Chief Ali Odefa, Hon Sir Ndubisi Nwobu and members of the zonal working committee were all on ground and ready to drive the meeting to a successful conclusion.
Other prominent personalities present at the meeting were Distinguished Senator Uche Ekwunife, Hon Chris Azubogu, Hon Vincent Ofumelu, High Chief Obiora Okonkwo, Amb Vincent Oligbo, Chief Ugochukwu Okeke, Dr Ifedi Okwenna, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, Chief Johnny Maduafokwa, Barr Winston Udeh, Hon Somto Udeze, Chief Vincent Emeka Igwe among other key stakeholders very numerous to mention.
The 13th stakeholders session of the PDP can actually be adjudged as a classic! considering the wonderful set of people present, observations, ideas, strategies, financial commitments and solutions that made it roundly eventful and worthwhile.
Speaking during the event, the Chairman of PDP Anambra State Hon Sir Ndubisi Nwobu welcomed members and guests and reiterated his commitment to conducting a credible intraparty elections in view of the forthcoming gubernatorial election. Hon Nwobu also declared forgiveness to those who have offended him in anyway and pleaded with those that feel offended by his actions in any circumstance to forgive him.
The chairman however appealed to aggrieved members who are still in court to withdraw such cases in the interest of peace and harmonious coexistence. According to the party chieftain, no party can succeed in the general elections with a divided house, which can only cause distractions and lack of focus on the task before it.
The party members also went further to make donations in order to support the activities and growth of the party in Anambra State:
The CEO of United Nigeria Airways Dr Obiora Okonkwo (Dikeora Idemili) opened the floor by donating one bus each to the zonal leadership and Anambra State Women wing of the party. Dikeora said he would do more but asked the chairman to remind members who have outstanding promises to redeem them so the party can move forward.
This move was followed by Chinweze Ezenaguora the chairman’s cousin who donated a bus to Anambra State PDP, Mr Onuora Iyizoba who made a cash donation, Prince Okonkwocha .H cash donation, Hon Udekigbo Chibuzo cash donation, Barr Winston Udeh cash donation among others who donated generously towards effective functioning of the party.
The 2019 PDP Vice Presidential Candidate and former governor of Anambra State emphasized the need for the party to commence a tour of the 326 legislative wards in the state and declared that he will donate bags of rice, cartons of Malt, Beer and cash with specifications for distribution and disbursement as a new year package to members at the grassroots.
He urged the leadership of the party to stop bothering aspirants with requests for assistance and stated that he will bankroll the activities of the party henceforth. He called on Hon Nwobu to draw the program so that he could release funds to enable the party function without financial let or hindrance.
Obi also urged the gubernatorial aspirants to not depend only on party delegates and publicity stunts because the real voters in the villages are not all internet compliant. According to him the aspirants should reach out to the electorates and start sharing their vision for a better Anambra state and how they intend to achieve all that.
The National Vice Chairman of PDP South East Zone Chief Ali Odefa who initially called for support to the party had to stop people from making donations as virtually each of the stakeholders both men and women were eager to appreciate the leadership of the party at the state level with whatever they can afford.
He commended the party leadership under Hon Sir Ndubisi Nwobu for raising the bar of political opportunities in the state through sincerity, resourcefulness and total commitment to party affairs. He seized the opportunity to assure the good people of Anambra State that PDP is the only party that will bring the much needed transformation to the state.
The zonal chairman also revealed his plans to commence consultations with key stakeholders in the state to ensure adequate collaboration of members irrespective of their grudges and differences against one another. He concluded by saying that the party shall face the forthcoming election as one indivisible entity and come out of it with a resounding victory.
© Tony Ezike
