Two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Jimoh Abu and Anthony Awaza, have denied defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that they remain loyal to their party and its governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii.
The duo made the clarification during a press conference in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, where they alleged that they were pressured into declaring support for the APC against their wishes.
Abu Alleges Abduction of Guests, Staff at Abakaliki Guesthouse
Abu alleged that officials of the Ebonyi State Government led state vigilante operatives to Jimoh Guest House in the Hausa Quarters area of Abakaliki, where lodgers, staff members and other customers were allegedly abducted.
According to him, the incident was part of an attempt to force him to announce that he had defected from the PDP to the APC.
Abu, however, insisted that he remained a member of the PDP despite what he described as threats from the state government.
“Despite the threats of the government, I remain a member of the PDP and a supporter of Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, the governorship candidate of the PDP, because we believe he is prepared and ready to give Ebonyi a face-lift in development,” Abu declared.
His statement contradicts reports or claims suggesting that he had abandoned the opposition party for the ruling APC.
Awaza Alleges He Was Forced to Declare APC Defection at Gunpoint
Awaza also denied leaving the PDP, alleging that he was forced at gunpoint to announce that he had joined the APC.
He reaffirmed his support for Odii, whom he referred to as Anyichuks, and attributed his loyalty to the PDP governorship candidate to the assistance he had received from him during a difficult period in his life.
According to Awaza, Odii provided financial assistance when he faced health challenges, helping him settle his medical bills at Niger Foundation Hospital in Enugu.
“I don’t even have a reason not to support Anyichuks, a man who has cared for me when no one did. When I had health challenges, it was Anyichuks that sent N3 million to pay my medical bills at the Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu,” he said.
Awaza maintained that he had no intention of abandoning the PDP, adding that Odii had also played a significant role in his personal life.
“What happened was that I was forced at gunpoint to say that I have joined APC, but everyone knows that I cannot leave PDP, because even the house I live now was built by Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii,” he said.
Abu, Awaza Reaffirm Loyalty to Ebonyi PDP
The statements by Abu and Awaza underscore their rejection of the alleged defection and their continued support for the PDP in Ebonyi State.
Their allegations also raise questions about the circumstances surrounding the reported incident at Jimoh Guest House and the alleged pressure to announce a political realignment.
However, the allegations made by the two PDP members have not been independently verified in the information available for this report. A response from the Ebonyi State Government and other parties involved would be necessary to establish their accounts fully.
For now, Abu and Awaza insist that they remain members of the PDP and continue to support Odii, whom they believe can advance development in Ebonyi State.