The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Goodluck Chidiebere Egwu, has declared that worsening economic hardship, insecurity and rising public dissatisfaction with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are compelling Nigerians to return massively to the opposition PDP ahead of future elections.
Egwu, who is also a former National Vice Chairman of the PDP in the South-East zone, stated this on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Abakaliki during the party’s senatorial primary process in Ebonyi State.
He described the primary election as peaceful, orderly and reflective of what he called the PDP’s enduring political dominance and grassroots acceptance across the state and the South-East region.
According to him, the prevailing socio-economic realities in the country, including hunger, unemployment, insecurity and rising cost of living, have exposed what he termed the “failures of the APC administration,” thereby renewing public confidence in the PDP.
“With the hunger, starvation and insecurity in the country, people are returning fully to the PDP. Nigerians are already comparing governance under PDP and what is happening today. Many citizens are saying that if they had known, they would not have supported the APC,” Egwu said.
The PDP spokesman maintained that the opposition party remained the strongest political force in Ebonyi State despite the current APC-led administration in the state.
He argued that the PDP still possesses formidable structures across the 171 political wards and 13 local government areas of the state, stressing that there was no community in Ebonyi where the party lacked visibility or support base.
“Ebonyi remains a PDP state. There is no place you go in Ebonyi State where you will not find PDP members and supporters. PDP built the political foundation of the state and remains the strongest opposition platform,” he stated.
Egwu further disclosed that the party had intensified its membership mobilisation drive across the state as part of strategic efforts to reposition and consolidate its political base ahead of future electoral contests.
He said the peaceful conduct of the senatorial primary election demonstrated the internal stability and democratic culture within the PDP, noting that the process was being monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“What is happening here today shows that PDP is back. The exercise is peaceful, transparent and well coordinated. INEC officials are already on ground monitoring the process across different areas,” he added.
Speaking on the lingering leadership disputes within the PDP at the national level, Egwu dismissed claims of division within the party, insisting that the Supreme Court had already settled issues surrounding the party’s leadership structure.
“There is no faction in PDP. There is only one PDP recognised by law and by INEC. The Supreme Court has already ruled on those matters and there is no need for unnecessary reinterpretation of the judgment,” he said.
The PDP chieftain also criticised what he described as attempts by some individuals to intimidate media practitioners covering political activities, warning that such actions constituted threats to democratic freedoms and constitutional rights.
He reaffirmed the party’s readiness to challenge the APC politically at all levels, expressing confidence that PDP candidates would perform strongly in forthcoming elections.
Egwu further asserted that many prominent political office holders currently serving under different political platforms in Ebonyi State originally emerged through the PDP political structure.
“Most political leaders you see today in Ebonyi came through PDP. The party has history, experience and deep roots among the people,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians to support the PDP in future elections, insisting that the party remained better positioned to address the country’s economic and governance challenges.
