Youths of the Abia state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) have stormed the state headquarters of the party in Umuahia over alleged manipulation of the 3 man delegate election in the state.
The youths numbering over 200 accused the state chairman of the PDP, Chief Asiforo Okere of working with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to impose the governor’s anointed candidate, Prof. Uche Ikonne on the party.
Some of the placards on display read; “No due process, no delegate election; Asiforo, are you are working for the opposition or our PDP?; “PDP is a shadow of itself under Asiforo”, among others.
They called on the party to allow a level playing field for all aspirants, adding that any attempt to impose a candidate will spell doom for the PDP in the election.
Leader of the protesters, Comrade O’Brien Iro, demanded to know when the delegates forms were sold and why the party decided to conduct the delegates election today.
He also accused the PDP chairman of keeping the members of the party in the dark about the 3 man delegates election.
The protesters warned that the PDP risks losing Abia if nothing was done to conduct a free and fair delegates election in the state.
“Asiforo is doing everything possible to manipulate the delegates election for his candidate to emerge governorship candidate.
“PDP should forget about Abia if there is no free and fair delegates election in Abia. Nobody owns the party. There must be free and fair delegates election or PDP will lose Abia in the 2023 election.”
Commending the youths for being peaceful on the protests, State chairman of the PDP, Chief Asiforo Okere, explained that the delegates forms were sold by the PDP national secretariat while the state chapter played no part in it.
Okere urged the youths to ensure that the party wins all positions in the 2023 elections.