Former Ebonyi Deputy Speaker, Others, Dump PDP

Odefa Obasi Odefa, the former Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He resigned in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Ogudu Okwor Ward in the Oshiri community in Onicha Local Government area of the state.

The former deputy speaker said all the ward executives of PDP in Onicha local government and Onicha East state constituency have resigned from the party.

The resignation letter reads: “After a robust discussion with my family and associates, I have decided to resign my membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“The implication is that there is nothing like PDP executives or functional executives in the entire Onicha East, which comprises Oshiri, Ukawu, Abaomege and Ishinkwo communities.

“In considering the decision, I am satisfied that I have given my best to the party and thank the party for the chance to serve while I was in the party. I wish you well, and thank you so much.”

Odefa and other defectors did not disclose the party they would be joining, but it was gathered that they would likely join the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the coming weeks.

Confirming his defection in a chat with journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital, on Wednesday, Odefa said there is nothing like PDP executives or functional executives in the entire Onicha East.

He was flanked by other bigwigs of the PDP and Labour Party (LP) in the local government, who all announced their resignations from the respective parties.

Odefa said his younger brother, who is the National Vice Chairman of PDP (South East), was free to remain in PDP.

He said: “Yes, my younger brother is a major stakeholder, not just a major stakeholder. He is the National Vice Chairman of PDP all over South East. But in our family, we are very mature people. We may have different opinions, and we respect each other’s opinions and feelings.

“People in the same family, even people from the same mother and father, can be in different parties. Politics is different from family. When it comes to politics, we do politics; when it comes to family, we do family.

“We are all old and mature. None of us is less than 50 years old; all of us are all grown up and married with children. So, we have no problem with that at all.”