The People’s Democratic Party, PDP Abia State Chapter has distanced itself from the endorsement of Governor Alex Otti for a second term in office by Chief Emeka Kalu saying he is not a registered member of the party from available records.
Recall that a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Dr. Emeka Kalu, Chairman of E.C.K Foundation endorsed Governor Alex Otti for a second term in office, saying that there is no vacancy in Abia State Government House come 2027.
The influential politician and philanthropist from Bende LGA in Abia North political zone of the State gave the endorsement on December 31st, 2024, while addressing the press after paying the Governor a private visit in his Umuehim Nvosi country home in Isiala Ngwa South LGA.
However, in a reaction, Abia PDP Publicity Secretary, Eric Ikwuagwu in a statement on Saturday January 4,2025 said Chief Kalu is not a stakeholder or Chieftain of the party to make such a categorical endorsement.
“It has come to the attention of the Abia Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that some online blogs and WhatsApp platforms have published claims by a certain character, Chief Emeka Kalu, who is falsely presenting himself as a chieftain of the party.
PDP chieftains and stakeholders are well known to the party’s State Working Committee (SWC), and party leadership at various levels. A party chieftain or stakeholder status is conferred on members based on their significant contributions to the growth of the party. A true party chieftain and stakeholder is not self-proclaimed, as is the case with the individual in question, Mr. Emeka Kalu. Therefore, we wish to clarify that this individual is not recognized as a stakeholder or chieftain within the records of Abia PDP,” He noted.
Ikwuagwu also alleged that Chief Kalu is not a duly registered member of the main opposition party in Abia State, the PDP.
“It is important to remind the public that every member of a political party, especially a well structured party like the PDP, must be properly registered in their ward, the individual must regularly pay dues, attend ward meetings, must have their name listed in the updated party register and issued with a party membership card. These are the only legitimate criteria which confer party membership to individuals and not by friendship with a former Presidential aspirant.
Abia PDP, therefore urges the general public to disregard the PDP CHIEFTAIN claims until he registers in his ward as a member of PDP but instead, Abians should focus on constructive efforts to hold Governor Alex Otti accountable for the progress and development of Abia State” He maintained.
The PDP spokesman went further to query the basis for the endorsement of Governor Alex Otti by Chief Kalu stressing that it is far too early to abandon Governance and start discussing the politics of 2027.
“It is important to address his misguided remarks, especially at a time when the Governor is yet to implement the new minimum wage consequential salary adjustments, pensioners are tricked into forfeiting their entitlements, contracts are awarded without due process at over invoiced amounts, locations of the N6.5billion recreational facilities, N2.4 billion ICT infrastructure and other phantom expenditures worth over N100 billion still unknown, mass sack and premature retirement of Abia workers; with all these mountain of problems, it is far too early for any sane person to abandon governance and be discussing 2027 re-election.” He concluded.
