Godwin Ezeemo Defects To PDP “In Principle” *

Mr Godwin Ezeemo, erstwhile National Leader of Progressive People’s Alliance, PPA and two time gubernatorial candidate of the party recently accepted the invitation to join the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, “in principle”, Orient Daily reports.

Ezeemo made this known during a recent courtesy call on him at his Umuchu office by PDP state leadership led by the PDP state chairman, Chief Ndubisi Nwobu.


Explaining later to the press why he made the defection, Ezeemo said that he had seen over the years that Nigerian electorate are still moved by big names instead of political ideology of parties.

He said that he has also placed his acquiescence to PDP conditional because he cannot fully go into PDP if his followers in PPA are not taken care of.

In his words, “We are only interested in big names here and not in the material that is vying for any post. I have tried for a long time to convince them that coming from a smaller party would even give me better opportunity to work but they seem not to understand. I had to oblige them.”

Speaking on the issue of having to pass the hurdle of primaries in the course of pursuing his gubernatorial interest under PDP, Ezeemo said that he believes in party primaries and is not afraid of going through it.

“There must be primary elections in any party if we want internal party democratic process to take its course so I embrace it.”

He however stated that his political interest is to ensure that the basics of civilization; constant power, water, good schools, good roads, good healthcare system, are made available to all and sundry.

“If people have all these, there are a lot of problems that will be sorted out immediately. I will treat the people with all form of respect and good care. These are what I will do differently, Ezeemo said.

He enjoined the PDP to understand and think along his line of thought that the black man needs to change his mindset and start thinking for the benefit of the whole.

Earlier, the PDP state chairman, Mr Nwobu recounted what he called the outstanding qualities of Ezeemo which made PDP persistent in wooing him over the years.

He said that PDP provides Ezeemo a better chance in his “genuine effort to improve his society through politics.”

He also promised that PDP will “love Ezeemo and ensure that he is given his pride of place” regardless of how long he has spent with them.

“In PDP, it is not how long you have spent with us but the capacity you wield as a party man or woman that counts and Ezeemo is a man of gargantuan capacity,” Nwobu stated.

Tony Offiah, PDP Anambra state publicity secretary revealed that he had been one of those who have been wooing Ezeemo over the years to join PDP. He shared his elation at Ezeemo’s acceptance and promised that all PPA faithful who defect with Ezeemo will be taken good care of. He also revealed plans of PDP leadership to alert the National body and hold a more public gathering where the defection will be made public.

“PDP has resolved its internal differences and are ready to take back the reins of power across the country. This is why we are reaching out to all people of timber and caliber across the state and beyond to join us in building the new and more formidable PDP. Ezeemo is indeed a big catch,” he said.

On his part, Chief Dan Igbokwubili, the PPA Anambra State chairman expressed his sadness at the departure of “a great iroko” from PPA. He however added, “if PDP will make Ezeemo’s interest to govern Anambra State a reality, then I am endorsing his defection.”

Igbokwubili claimed that he joined PPA because he believed in Ezeemo and wanted to support his gubernatorial agenda.

Others present during the meeting were the Anambra South PDP officials and Aguata PDP youths who came in their numbers to welcome Ezeemo.