The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Chief Chukwuma Ifeanyi Odii during the weekend led a 52-member delegation from the state to the party’s 2026 elective national convention held at the Velodrome of the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The high-stakes convention, which drew a total of 2,632 accredited delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is widely seen as a defining moment in the PDP’s strategic recalibration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Odii’s delegation underscored Ebonyi State’s visible and coordinated participation in the party’s national affairs.
The delegation included key party stakeholders such as the newly elected state chairman, Hon. Chukwuma Igwe; Senator Igwe Nwagu; Senator Amah Nnachi; newly elected National Ex-Officio, Mazi Moses Idika; Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck; and the immediate past National Vice Chairman (South-East), among others.
A major highlight for Ebonyi State at the convention was the emergence of Hon. Chidiebere Egwu as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, a development viewed by observers as both a reward for loyalty and a strategic positioning of the South-East in the party’s national communication architecture.
The convention culminated in the election of a 21-member National Working Committee (NWC), reflecting a blend of experience, regional balance, and political recalibration.
Abdulrahman Mohammed emerged as National Chairman, while Aaron Chukwuemeka and Yusufu Akirikwen (SAN) were elected Deputy National Chairmen for the South and North respectively.
Other key positions saw Anyanwu Samuel assumed office as National Secretary, with Kolawale Olabisi as Deputy National Secretary. Odeyemei Oladiran was elected National Treasurer, alongside Lado Marke as Deputy National Treasurer.
In the financial structure of the party, Eyim Henry clinched the position of National Financial Secretary, with Dr. Grema Kyari as Deputy. Umar Bature emerged as National Organising Secretary, supported by Efere Augustine as Deputy.
Jungudo Mohammed was elected National Publicity Secretary, with Hon. Chidiebere Egwu serving as his deputy. In the legal directorate, Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) was elected National Legal Adviser, with Aloysius Uba as Deputy.
Osuoha Donatus and Dr. Adaba Yatu emerged as National Auditor and Deputy National Auditor respectively, while Ibrahim Aboki and Momoh Bashir were elected National Youth Leader and Deputy National Youth Leader.
In the women’s wing, Prof. Ogunshe Adedayo was elected National Women Leader, with Hauwa Shinge as her deputy.
Political analysts noted that the successful conduct of the convention and the emergence of a full complement of NWC members signal a renewed effort by the PDP to consolidate internal cohesion and reposition itself as a formidable opposition force.
The party’s leadership reshuffle is expected to play a critical role in shaping its electoral strategy and national appeal as the 2027 political cycle gradually comes into focus.
For Ebonyi State, the outing not only reaffirmed its relevance within the party’s national framework but also marked a strategic gain with the election of Egwu, further strengthening its voice in the PDP’s national decision-making process.
