Over the weekend, Chief Ali Odefa, the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the South-East zone, declared that the party is being reenergised to effectively oppose the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the state and national levels in the general election of 2027.

Speaking to reporters at the end of the State Elective Congress, which was held at the PDP State Secretariat along the Abakaliki-Enugu highway, Odefa emphasised that the high number of delegates was evidence of the continued passion and dedication that Nigerians, not just in Ebonyi, have for the PDP.

According to Odefa, “we are organising our affairs and preparing to unseat the ruling APC party.” Since unity is crucial to the party’s strength, he counselled the newly appointed state leadership to concentrate on establishing the party and balancing competing interests.

The PDP is willing to accept members who have left the party but would like to run for office under the PDP banner in the 2027 elections, Odefa continued. “The other parties are in for an implosion. He declared, “This is the Peoples Democratic Party, and we will welcome anyone who wants to come back.”

The newly elected PDP chairman in Ebonyi State, Mr. Peter Nwele, pledged to bring the party back to its previous splendour. After being sworn in, Nwele spoke to party members and laid out his main objectives: to make amends with disgruntled members, win them back to the PDP, and make sure the party regains its place as the state’s main opposition.

Nwele praised members for their faith and pledged to continue running an open-door government after winning what he called a calm and honest election. “We have an important obligation to our wonderful party. Since Ebonyi has historically been a PDP-dominated state, we would reach out to all resentful members in an effort to restore the PDP’s former grandeur. Everyone can be accommodated at the celebration,” he confirmed.

The PDP State Congress Committee (SCC) chairman, Mr. Ugonna Ogbonna, declared the election results in the meanwhile and attested to the fact that all procedures, including delegate accreditation, were followed. With representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and several security organisations, including the police, Civil Defence, and the Department of State Security (DSS), present to oversee and guarantee a safe process, he reported that the election went off without a hitch and was both credible and transparent.