Adolphus Wabara and Ikpegbu Emeka-Yellow have declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains alive and politically relevant in Abia State, despite internal challenges and recent political shifts.
The two party leaders made the declaration during a major PDP stakeholders meeting held in Umuahia, where party faithfuls, youth leaders, and grassroots mobilisers from across the state gathered to deliberate on the future of the party.
The meeting, which attracted prominent party figures and grassroots representatives, was widely seen as part of efforts to reposition the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing stakeholders, Wabara delivered an emotional and passionate speech, declaring his unwavering loyalty to the party and dismissing speculations that the PDP was weakening in the state.
According to him, the PDP remains a political family that cannot collapse despite temporary setbacks.
“I will volunteer myself to be buried with PDP if the party ever dies,” Wabara said.
“But PDP will not die. Our leaders are you and me. The strength of this party lies with the people.”
The former Senate President urged party members, particularly youths, to take ownership of the party and become the new generation of leaders who will drive the PDP forward.
He stressed that the survival and revival of the party must begin from the grassroots level, with community leaders and young political actors playing key roles.
Wabara also charged the state leadership of the party to ensure that upcoming party congresses and primaries are conducted transparently.
He recalled how party primaries were conducted in the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, insisting that fairness and openness are the only way to rebuild trust among members.
According to him, every aspirant should be allowed to contest freely without manipulation or imposition.
“Let everybody go to the field and contest openly. That is where peace will come from. That is where you will build unity in the party,” he said.
He noted that when party members feel they have equal opportunities to participate, it strengthens internal democracy and restores confidence among supporters.
Speaking exclusively with All Facts Newspaper after the meeting, Wabara insisted that the PDP remains united in Abia State and dismissed claims of factional divisions.
He pointed to the large turnout at the stakeholders meeting as proof that the party still commands strong grassroots support.
“PDP is alive, well and strong in Abia State. The crowd you saw today proves that,” he said.
The former Senate President assured party members that the PDP would field candidates in the 2027 elections and urged them to remain focused despite political distractions.
When asked about the recent Appeal Court decision which struck out the appeal filed by the Turaki faction regarding an earlier judgment of the Oyo State High Court, Wabara said reports circulating online were misleading.
He advised the public to wait for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment before drawing conclusions.
According to him, the PDP does not have any real faction, describing the group loyal to Nyesom Wike as merely a “committee of friends.”
Also speaking with, the Abia State PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman, Emeka-yellow Ikpegbu, said the stakeholders meeting was part of ongoing consultations aimed at repositioning the party.
According to him, the leadership is determined to rebuild the party’s structures across all communities in the state.
He disclosed that the party has already commenced an electronic membership registration exercise as part of its reforms.
“The meeting is part of our continued strategy for prosperity and rebuilding the PDP in Abia State,” Emeka-Yellow said.
He added that the impressive turnout of party stakeholders demonstrated that the PDP still has strong grassroots presence.
“The stakeholders meeting has proven that PDP is on ground and remains the strongest party,” he stated.
During the meeting, party leaders repeatedly emphasised the importance of youth participation in the party’s future.
Wabara in particular encouraged young members to take responsibility for building the party and contesting leadership positions when the time comes.
He warned against political apathy and urged members to make sacrifices to revive the party’s political dominance.
Political observers say the renewed mobilisation of stakeholders may signal the beginning of a broader effort by the PDP to regain influence in Abia’s political landscape ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Credit: AFN
