Imo State was on Friday, April 24, 2026, shut down as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officially received into its folds decampees from the All Progressives Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA), and other political parties and blocs who emptied into the party, in a huge statement of strength, appeal, and readiness ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This is contained in a release issued by the State Publicity Secretary of PDP, Lancelot Obiaku and availed Daily Nigerian Horn.
The historic grand reception, which was held at the party’s State Secretariat on 98 Okigwe Road, Owerri, the State capital, was graced by prominent leaders of the party from across the country, including the National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed, represented by the Deputy National Chairman (North), Yusufu Akirikwen SAN; the National Secretary, Dist. Sen. Samuel Anyanwu; National Legal Adviser, Barr. Kamaldeen Ajibade SAN; Deputy National Secretary, Hon. Kolawole Olabisi; National Youth Leader, Amb. Bala Aboki; National Financial Secretary, Eyim Donatus Henry; National Vice Chairman (Southeast), Barr. Ray Nnaji; the Southeast Secretary, Hon. Mike Ahumibe; and a host of other National and Zonal leaders.
Among the entrants are High Chief Duru Mike Ejiogu, a business tycoon, political leader, and founding member of PDP; Prince Eze Madumere, former Deputy Governor of the State; High Chief Summers Nwokie (Ikukuọma Mbaise); and Hon. Chief Sunny Chiadi, a former ENTRACO Chairman and multiple-time Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State. The quartet all joined the party from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also received were Barr. Ikenna Emeruem, who joined from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Hon. Uche Ogbuagu, a former State Assembly member and House of Reps candidate who rejoined the party from LP; Hon. Chief Chris Onye, the President-General of Igbo Community, Gboko, Benue State; Chief Kingsley Echendu, former House of Reps candidate; and the New Nigeria Group led by the Southeast Coordinator, Chief Goddy Anyanwu, with Prof. Amuze, Bishop Nwodu, Engr. Abala, and Chief Nnamdi Onyebara as other members.
There were also Chief Onyelike Darlington (Achiever) from APC; Hon. Engr. Godswill Anyalewechi and the entire Aboh Mbaise LGA executive of Action Alliance Party; Chief Uzochukwu Mbabie; Chief Nwora Amadi; Chief Sir Offor Anayo who moved in from ADC; Barr. Kingdom Ekewuba (Odenigbo Owerri); Hon. Olugbu Nnataraonye, a former State Assembly member; Comrade Eke Kennedy of Ngor-Okpala; and many others.
The decampees brought with them tens of thousands of supporters across party lines who have now emptied into the PDP and coalesced their structures into its platform, adding to the recent surge of Imolites joining the major opposition party in the State.
It has further strengthened the PDP while significantly weakening the ruling party and unsettling other opposition parties in the State.
Speaking at the special reception ceremony, the National Chairman of PDP, represented by the Deputy National Chairman (North), Yusufu Akirikwen, applauded the National Secretary of PDP and Imo’s illustrious son, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, for demonstrating exemplary leadership in the State and the Southeast, admitting that the influx of people into the party justifies this fact.
He declared that PDP has resolved to maintain its pride of place in the State and Nigeria at large.
He said the event marked a turning point in the history of the party in the State, declaring that PDP is one and maintaining that all internal wranglings have been resolved.
He advised the new members to feel at home and put in their best for the stability and progress of the party, assuring them of equal treatment.
Meanwhile, the National Secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, in his speech declared that more political figures would join the party in the coming weeks.
He reassured Imo people that the party is healthy and working hard to give them a credible alternative. “Before now, people were saying that PDP is dead, but today, what happened here showed that the party is fully alive,” he said.
Earlier in his address, the State Chairman of the party, Rt. Hon. Austine Nwachukwu, said Imo PDP has emerged stronger from recent setbacks urging Ndi Imo to feel free to join as its doors are open to all.
“I stand here today with my shoulders high to announce to Ndi Imo, Nigerians, and the world at large that lasting settlement has been achieved through the fatherly role of our national leader, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, our National Secretary, Samuel Nna Emeka Anyanwu, and all other well-meaning leaders,” the Chairman said.
He assured the decampees that their resolve to join PDP is one of the best life-changing decisions they would ever make and one they would never regret.
“You came to PDP because you have seen the truth, a structure with a clear plan for the good people of the State and Nigeria. I assure you that in PDP, you have found a home where there exist equal rights, privileges, and opportunities. The umbrella is large enough to cover all of us,” he added.
The defectors who spoke at the event said they were back to the party for good. Chief Mike Ejiogu, Prince Eze Madumere, Chief Summers Nwokie, and Barr. Ikenna Emeruem all gave firm assurance of their readiness to contribute immensely to solidifying the party base in Imo for electoral victory.
