Former Abia PDP chair, Sen Nwaka joins ‘SLP’

* Blames his successors for collapse of party

Last is yet to be heard of the gale of defection that hit the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  as former Chairman of the party in Abia State,  Senator Emma Nwaka, has announced his movement to the ‘Siddon Look Party (SLP)’.

He, however, failed to explain whether or not he had fully quit the PDP but simply said:

“The once vibrant party is now a ghost of itself. To remain there would be like having a one-man party. So, I have decided to join the Siddon Look Party  (SLP). New members are welcome. We’ll soon build it into a formidable party:  Better to build than to destroy- is our motto.”

Senator Nwaka who spoke with Wawa News Global, on Wednesday, expressed bitterness over the current state of the party, blaming its woes on those who succeeded him and failed to sustain his legacies.

He regretted that instead of maintaining his legacy of party supremacy, they surrounded their authorities to some government officials who used them to oppress perceived opponents within the party.

On the mass exodus of some key members of the party in Abia, Senator describing members exiting the party as ” food-is-ready politicians”.

Recall that a number of former PDP chieftains including a presidential aspirant and former Deputy Speaker Abia House of Assembly, Dr Cosmos Ndukwe; former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Orji; ex-lawmaker, Hon. Jerry Uzodike; former Commissioner for Information, Eze Chikamnayo; among a host of others had resigned their membership of the party.

Others include former Chief of Staff to ex-Gov Okezie Ikpeazu, Professor Anthony Agbazuere; former Commissioner and Isiala Ngwa North Chairman, Iyke Anyatonwu; former Bende Local Government Area Chairman, Chief Emmanuel Otta, and a host of others.

While some of them defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, some joined the ruling Labour Party in the state, while others are yet to disclose their next destination.

Sen. Nwaka who said he was not surprised at the turn of events in the party, alleged that those exiting the party now were responsible for its collapse.

“I am not surprised at all with the turn of events. What you’re witnessing is symptomatic of food-is-ready politicians. Instead of rebuilding the party they destroyed, they have chosen to become mere tenants elsewhere.”

 On how the decampees destroyed PDP, Nwaka said: “I am sure that you have heard that PDP, Abia State was comatose as at 2010 when I was head-hunted to come and rebuild it.

“Without thumping my chest, it is right to say that my team and I did a good job of the assignment. My five years at the helm have been described as the golden years of the party. I returned the party to its winning ways. During my time, party affairs were conducted from the party secretariat and party members had a say but the moment I turned my back, all that changed.

“Party officials, after my exit, lost control. They started taking instructions from a few government officials, who weaponized the party against perceived enemies within the party. They sat in Umuahia and decided who would be an officer of the party at the ward level.

“As if that was not enough, the three Senatorial Structure of the State became non-existent in their minds and ceased to be the basis for the allocation of offices.

“Abia, for them, was made up of old-Bende and Aba Districts. In the process, Abia North Senatorial Zone, was alienated. All these and more, laid the foundation for the death of the party.

” Instead of making efforts to rebuild, the food-is-ready politicians chose to abandon their sinking ship. “

Some brave PDP chieftains including former Senate President, and the Chairman Board of Trustees, BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former Secretary to State Government, SSG, Eme Okoro; former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Charles Ogbonnaya; Senator Nwaka, among others, warned PDP against disrespecting the Abia Charter of Equity and zoning formula which should have enable Abia North to produce the Governor in 2023.

The warning was ignored as the party with the active support of the then Governor from Ukwa la Ngwa insisted on retaining power in the Old Aba Division, a step that made even some of the party chieftains from the Old Bende Division to work against PDP during the polls.