Abia PDP says ex-deputy governor’s exit is ‘liberation, not loss’

The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the resignation of former Deputy Governor, Ude Oko-Chukwu, describing it as a “liberation” for the party.

Chukwu, in a letter dated August 5, 2025, announced his decision to quit the PDP, saying it was a difficult but necessary move. He thanked the party for the opportunities to serve and the experience gained during his membership.

But reacting in a statement on Friday, the state PDP chairman, Abraham Amah, said Chukwu’s departure was not a loss.

“His exit from our great party is not a loss, it is liberation. It is purgation. It is good riddance to bad rubbish,” Amah said.

He accused Chukwu of benefiting from the PDP’s platform for two decades without tangible achievements, noting that the former deputy governor served 12 years in the State House of Assembly — four as Speaker — and eight years as deputy governor.

Amah alleged that despite managing the state’s Internally Generated Revenue for eight years, Chukwu left Abia in a worse financial state, with no visible infrastructure or economic development to his credit, even in his Ohafia Local Government Area.

“He delivered no water, no electricity, no meaningful empowerment, and no political legacy. His people remain in darkness while he enjoyed the comfort of Government House. What a shameful scorecard,” he said.

The PDP chairman claimed Chukwu’s resignation was an attempt to escape the consequences of his “political irrelevance” and urged party members to remain united.

“This is not a time to grieve but to rejoice. PDP has ejected a parasitic political element whose relevance expired long ago,” Amah added.