According to reports from PUNCH, several prominent chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State have publicly announced their resignation from the party, citing its diminishing allure and concerns over its future trajectory.
The exodus from the PDP follows the aftermath of the party's 98th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which convened in Abuja on Thursday, April 18th, 2024.
Prior to the NEC gathering, expectations were high among party stalwarts, particularly regarding the resolution of various allegations of anti-party activities purportedly committed by members of the defunct G-5 governors' faction within the party.
Led by the likes of former Rivers State governor and Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike, these allegations had stirred considerable discord within PDP ranks.
However, the NEC's response to these allegations was met with disappointment and frustration as the party leadership chose to maintain a resolute silence on the matter.
Moreover, the decision to extend the tenure of the party's acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, until the next NEC meeting further exacerbated tensions within the party.
For many PDP stalwarts, particularly in the southeastern region of the country, the NEC's actions proved to be the final straw, prompting a wave of resignations.
In their resignation letters, obtained by Sunday PUNCH, these disillusioned former chieftains expressed grave concerns about the party's future prospects.
Chief Joseph Nwachukwu, a long-standing member and former LGA chairman of PDP in Imo State, lamented the party's perceived descent into chaos and predicted its eventual demise.
Similarly, Chief Chukwudi Mayor Eze and Rt Hon. Lawman Duruji, both prominent figures within the state's political landscape, cited personal reasons and undemocratic tendencies within the party as driving forces behind their decisions to resign.
The exodus from the PDP also saw the departure of other notable figures, including Chief Emmanuel Okewulonu, Hon. Solomon Onwuegbuchulam, Pascal Zo, and Chidi Okoli, each of whom played significant roles in the party's activities at various levels.