The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji yesterday was a special guest as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Umuahia South LGA received Comrade Ifeanyi Duke (Arusi) and several of his supporters who decamped from the All Progressives Congress to the PDP.
The Speaker in his speech, welcomed Comrade Ifeanyi Duke and his supporters to the ruling Party and thanked the former APC Chiefain for his wise decision to join the PDP. “I am very happy that you have accepted to work with us, you have really done well and I promise that we will accommodate you and your supporters wholly”, the Speaker said.
Rt Hon Chinedum Orji further said that the mammoth crowd that came out to welcome Comrade Duke to the PDP “shows that the former APC chieftain is a very popular politician in the grassroots where it matters most, a man truly loved by his people’,
The Speaker gifted the former APC chieftain a branded Sienna vehicle which would be handed over to him in a short time and also promised huge financial commitment to the Foundation being run by Comrade Duke.
The Speaker also promised to reticulate the community with the water bore hole donated to the village by Comrade Duke.
The Speaker also appointed Mr Ndukauba Nwachinemere as his Special Assistant. The newly appointed aide to the Speaker contested for a Councillorship position in Mgbarakuma Ward A in Umuahia South LGA in the last LGA elections but lost out.
Comrade Ifeanyi Duke a native of Mgbarakuma Ubakala, thanked the Speaker for coming to welcome him back to the ruling party. He highlighted the reasons which triggered his defection from the All Progressive Congress to include the massive infrastructural development of Abia by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of the PDP and many other dividends of democracy the Governor has provided the people..
Comrade Duke further extolled the Speaker for his Direct Touch Initiative which he said “has also been very instrumental in my decision to rejoin the ruling party”.
Narrating on why he has such a number of supporters decamping with him to the PDP, Comrade Duke said he has empowered youths and widows in his immediate community and promised to do even more.
Barrister Chris Ezem, Secretary to the State Government, Hon Jerry Uzosike, member representing Umuahia South State Constituency, People’s Democratic Party stakeholders in Umuahia South ably led by Mr Okezie Chinedu (Jalow), the Umuahia South PDP Chairman among many others attended the event.
