I Won't Quit PDP, Says Ikpeazu as Party Stakeholders Meet in Abia

Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has dismissed speculations concerning his continued membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that he would not dump the party.

He gave this assurance Thursday at the Abia State PDP caucus meeting held at the party's new secretariat at Ogurube Layout Umuahia, during which party leaders and stakeholders discussed ways and means of rebuilding the party.

Ikpeazu, who left office on May 29, 2023 after completing his second tenure as governor, has been heavily linked with possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The speculation gained currency last week when some of his past aides, including the former Chief of Staff, Prof. Anthony Agbazuere, moved to the APC on the eve of the party's South-east stakeholders meeting at Owerri, the Imo State capital.

The defection of his former aides and allies sparked speculations that the immediate past Abia governor had sent forerunners to prepare the way for his eventual waving of broom.

But Ikpeazu, who was attending a public function in Umuahia for the first time since after his party handed over control of Abia to the Labour Party, told the Abia PDP caucus that he has no plan to leave the former ruling party.

He said that he would rather stay put to rebuild the party that gave him the platform to be the chief executive of Abia for eight years, adding that the exit of his former aides to other parties was their personal choices.

"I will remain in PDP and will never be found wanting in my responsibilities to our party and its rebuilding process.