The Southeast zonal leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has successfully resolved the Imo state headship crisis, officially affirming Uwakwe Reginand as the interim chairman of the party in the state.
Resolution Announced in Owerri
The National Vice Chairman of the party in the Southeast, Chief Teddy IK Obey, disclosed this on Tuesday while addressing party members in Owerri during his maiden familiarization, harmonization, and pre-congress visit. Obey, an engineer, informed that Reginand's name had been gazetted, adding that he would handle the affairs of the party from the state to the ward levels pending the congresses to be held in a few days.
Obey assured that the party would be built on consensus, not factionalism. He explained: "I acknowledge Barr. Uwakwe Reginand as the state chairman of NDC in Imo State. His name has been gazetted by the national leadership as the interim chairman of Imo State NDC. As of today, he is the only constitutionally recognized executive officer of this party from state to ward levels. The era of factionalism in Imo ends today."
Stakeholders Attend Meeting
The meeting was attended by stakeholders including the chairman of Contact and Mobilization, candidate selection committees, F.B.I. Onyekwulisi, Prince Charles Akano, among others. Obey assured that unlike other parties, the NDC had no legal tussle, maintaining that the party was busy building itself as a democratic model for Nigerians to emulate, for unity, peace, and harmony. He urged members on contact and mobilization to sustain membership drive.
The National Vice Chairman said: "That assignment is clear. To instill unity, peace and harmony in Imo State NDC." He continued: "Where there is unity, there is strength. Where there is peace, there is progress. Where there is harmony, there is victory. That is what we have come to build. We will not build NDC on factionalism. We will build it on consensus."
Warning Against Impersonation
He warned members against parading themselves as what they are not. He disclosed that it was deliberate that the party had no state secretariat, noting that this was why the meeting was held at a neutral ground to avoid accusations of compromise against the zonal leadership. He boasted: "NDC is the party to beat in the 2027 general elections. NDC is a new party believing in showing Nigerians we are different; that we believe in due process and transparency. The newest party in Nigeria and the only party without palpable litigation hanging on its neck. We are in the field building structure, others are in court dragging who owns their soul."
Anticipated Defections
Obey said that in all indications, there would be an influx of people who would defect from opposition parties to the NDC in a few days, noting that the party would welcome them, even as many had indicated their interests to run for the offices of governorship, House of Assembly, House of Representatives, the Senate among others. "There is a wind of defection that will blow the other opposition parties into NDC in days to come. Imo is tired of recycled promises. Nigeria is looking for a clean, uncompromised platform. That platform is NDC," he stressed.
The national officer assured that the doors of the party were open to receive the defectors via due process, stressing that there would be no room for hijackers as a new party poised to ensure a New Nigeria of collective dreams. "We are marching towards a new Nigeria with true democratic services; not handouts; not godfathers; and not impunity. The era of politics as usual is over. The era of the people's charter is here," Obey clarified.
