Barrister Steve Oruruo has been sworn-in as the chairman of the 15-man caretaker committee that will pilot affairs of Ebonyi Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in a bid to bring probity to the party and return it to winning ways.
Steve Oruruo and other executives were sworn in by the zonal Chairman of the party, Chief Ali Odefa at the PDP’s zonal office in Enugu said the committee is unique because the national working committee has demonstrated uncommon determination to solving the political imbroglio in Ebonyi.
Chief Odefa while congratulating the committee members, reminded them that they emerged “through a struggle which I believe is needless considering the huge riks we took defending the party against a tyrannical government in Ebonyi State.”
He expressed optimism that the committee will live up to the task considering the class of people therein, while thanking the NWC of the party for their interventions.
“Today, I’m deeply impressed with the calibre of persons that have been nominated into this caretaker committee, especially the Chairman and Secretary that come from Enugu State. They’re people of impeccable character that are well known in the party, they’re not greenhorns.
“I want to also thank the NWC that tried to mediate in the crisis without taking side. I’m very confident that going forward, there will be peace in Ebonyi Chapter. While inaugurating them, I charged them to be loyal to the party first, uphold its constitution and not to pander to me or any other stakeholder.”
While promising to supervise the activities of the new committee, Chief Odefa said they’ve learnt their lessons and they’re working so hard to ensure those mistakes aren’t repeated.
In his remark, the member representing Afikpo North/Afikpo South federal constituency in the House of reps, Rt. Hon. Iduma Igariwey thanked the NWC for taking a bold step in solving the problem of Ebonyi PDP.
“This is the first time that the NWC made frantic effort to understand the problem of our party which I believe led to our humiliating loss in the last election. I think that for the first time, a Daniel has come to judgement.
“If we handle this process very well, we can begin to restore the foundation of the PDP which has been lost.
Hon. Igariwey charged all the stakeholders of the party to join hands in building the party because “Ebonyi State since 1999 has been a PDP state. We’ve always won our elections under PDP.”
He expressed optimism that the PDP will return to winning ways in the south east as “PDP is a national party and we’re very hopeful we will return to our glorious days.”
In his acceptance speech after the inauguration, Barr. Oruruo, a former secretary of the PDP in Enugu state while acknowledging the enormous task ahead, said he’s confident with the team that has been assembled and very certain they’ll rescue Ebonyi PDP.
“I understand the enormity of the task but we’ve made up our mind to reorganise the party, get it rejuvenated, create a new order and a semblance of peace and galvanise the spirit of the members of the party and place us on the platter of conquest.”
Oruruo who led Enugu Rangers to victory after 30 years hiatus when he served as the Chairman, Board of Rangers International Football Club Enugu, stressed that “political parties are meant to take over government and its such party we wish to build.
“This intellectuals brought together for one single purpose of getting the party resuscitated are willing and committed to the task ahead.
“Our mandate is very simple; to re-establish orderliness in the party, reinvent the spirit of unison among the stakeholders and also get us ready for the congresses of the party and the convention. We will reintroduce intergrity, fairness, rule of law and commitment to repositioning the party and respect for the constitution,” he added.
The committee has Barr. Pascal Ukwuani as the secretary while the following persons will serve as members;
3. Barr. Jude Omoha
4. Francis Ibiam
5. Ude Akaji
6. Chief Godwin Nwode
7. Hon. Amechi Oken
8. Chief Christopher Elechi Ngwuta
9. Dave Odey
10. Hon Ezekiel Igede
11. Hon.chika Nwoba
12. Hon. Emmauel Uka A.
13. Engr. Edward Ifeanyi Odanwu
14. Okoro Monday Ogbonnaya
15. Hon. Mark Onu
