The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has entered a new phase following the inauguration of a caretaker executive by the party’s national leadership.
The ceremony, held on Tuesday at the PDP South East Zonal Office in Enugu was supervised by the party’s National Vice Chairman (South East), Ali Odefa, who tasked the newly appointed officials with rebuilding and repositioning the party ahead of future elections.
The members of the caretaker committee were sworn in by the PDP South East Zonal Secretary, James Ugwu, who administered the oath of allegiance.
Addressing the gathering, Odefa urged the new leadership to immediately return to Abia State and restore the party’s grassroots structures and public confidence.
He said the committee had been entrusted with steering the party through challenging times, alleging that anti-democratic forces were working to undermine opposition platforms across the country.
According to him, the party is currently involved in nine consolidated court cases but remains hopeful of favourable outcomes.
“We still have confidence in the judiciary and in men and women of good conscience. There is light at the end of the tunnel,” Odefa said, while calling on stakeholders to rally behind the new chairman to ensure success.
A Call for Reconciliation and Renewal
In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated caretaker chairman, Mr. Ikpegbu Emeka-Yellow, described his appointment as a call to service, sacrifice and selfless leadership, expressing appreciation to the national leadership for the confidence reposed in him and his team.
He acknowledged that the party in Abia had experienced prolonged leadership crises in recent years, which weakened its internal structures and dampened the morale of members.
Emeka-Yellow noted that the party’s November 2025 national convention in Ibadan marked a significant turning point, adding that the emergence of a new national leadership restored order and discipline within the PDP.
He outlined reconciliation, rebuilding trust and reuniting aggrieved members as the core mandate of the caretaker committee.
“This is a time for reconciliation, not recrimination. A time to rebuild and not dwell in the past,” he said.
The chairman appealed to former members who left during the crisis to return, assuring them of fairness, inclusiveness and equal opportunity within the party.
He maintained that the PDP remains a formidable political force in Abia State, insisting that opposition efforts against the party would be short-lived.
Appreciation to Party Leaders
Emeka-Yellow also acknowledged the support of key national figures in stabilising the party’s structure, including Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Bala Mohammed; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Adolphus Wabara; and Deputy National Secretary, Richmond Ihediwa.
He pledged loyalty to the national leadership and assured members that the committee would discharge its duties with integrity, transparency and dedication.
Composition of the Caretaker Committee
The newly inaugurated Abia PDP caretaker executive comprises:
- Mr. Ikpegbu Emeka-Yellow — Chairman
- Chief Ochiobu Fidel Chukwuemeka — Member
- Engr. Gladys Okoro — Member
- Chief Chijindu Kalu — Member
- Kelvin Enyi Sampson — Member
- Mrs. Ugo Kalu — Member
- Barr. Obinna Nwaogwugwu — Member
- Samuel Chukwudi Mike — Member
- Felix Nwagbara — Secretary
