The members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party from the south east on Tuesday, February 20th, 2024, visited the former Governor of old Anambra state, Senator Jim Nwobodo at his country home in Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South local government area of Enugu State.
The delegation led by the chairman of the BoT, Senator Adolphus Wabara said the visit is to pay homage to one of the fathers of the PDP and seek his advice on their move to reinvigorate the party in the region and the country at large.
“The South East BOT members of the PDP came to pay our respect to our political father in the citadel of Igbo politics being Enugu. We came to see him and we’re so happy that he’s in good spirit, very strong.
“During our interaction, we learnt something; in politics there’s no retirement age because he’s so active and wants to know what’s happening to the child that he gave birth to in 1998 (the PDP) as one of the founding fathers of this party.
“They say charity begins at home and our visit here has availed us the opportunity of getting fresh advice on how to reposition the party.”
On the status of the PDP having only one governor in the south east, the BoT chairman expressed optimism that the party will assume it’s rightful position soon, adding that the configuration of the Party makes it different from other parties in the country.
“South east is naturally a PDP zone and it’s a function of time and we will all come back just like the parable of the lost sheep after realizing our mistakes because the PDP is the party to beat in Nigeria because nobody owns PDP, it’s the most democratic party in Nigeria and there’s moves to reconcile all aggrieved members and I’m predicting that the five south east states will come back to the PDP.
Speaking to newsmen after the visit, Senator Jim Nwobodo while describing the BoT as the conscience of the party, said it advises when there’s any problem and help when there’s anything to be done in the party.
“They came to Enugu State for a meeting and at the end of their meeting, they decided to come visit me and I’m happy that they came. The BOT chairman is a friend and very good man, so we sat together to discuss about the party because the PDP has a lot to contribute to Nigeria and if we work together as a team, we will get back the places that we lost.
“There was a time we control almost all the states in the country but today we have lost all of them because of bad leadership and I told them we’ve not lost out and we will get back what we lost and the loss was because we had wolves within the party that kept on deceiving the party, pretending that they’re in the party but when the time came, they treated the party with contempt.
“However, I’m happy there are those who came here who said clearly that they occupied various public positions through the PDP and they will not forget the party and loyalty to party is very important and if you’re not loyal to the party, you can’t even be loyal to your family because your party is like your family.
In her vote of thanks, a member of the BoT, Chinelo Chidebelu thanked Senator Nwobodo for hosting them lavishly, despite the short notice and thanked his Wife, Dr. Mrs. Patricia Nwobodo for taking good care of one of living strongest Igbo politician.
Others present at the visit include; former governors Achike Udenwa, Sam Egwu, and Emeka Ihedioha; former PDP National Chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; Dame Rita Mbah, other members of BoT from south East as well as the Chairman of Enugu South local government area, Hon. Chimezie Nkwuo, the secretary of the council, Emmanuel Orji, among others.
