The ex-governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, mentioned that it is the personal choice of his former aides to join other political parties.
Ikpeazu clarified that he does not intend to depart from the Peoples Democratic Party, but instead aims to remain and assist in its reconstruction.
He expressed this during the party's caucus meeting at the new party secretariat in Umuahia on Thursday.
He urged members of the party in the state to unite in order to enable the party to regain its winning ways.
He mentioned, “We all need to take individual responsibility for our performance in the 2023 elections while our party is going through self-cleansing at the moment.
“I am staying with PDP and will not fall short in my duties to our party and its reconstruction process.
“Those who wish to leave will depart no matter what, but loyalty also involves recognizing that at some point in time, this party has been beneficial to you.
“It is now time for sacrifice, especially from those who previously benefited from our party in one way or another as we must all work together to reposition it.”
During his address, the state PDP chairman, Asiforo Okere, expressed gratitude to the members who have remained firm in supporting the party, particularly after the 2023 elections, and reminded them that the party still holds the majority at the state House of Assembly.
Okere revealed that the National Working Committee has extended the tenures of elected ward executives by three months in an acting capacity and formed three committees to handle peace and reconciliation, the way forward, and finance.
Last week, six former aides of Ikpeazu, along with their followers, defected to the All Progress Congress before a zonal caucus meeting of the party.
