Massive Defection Hits Imo SDP Camp As Excos, LG, Ward officers join NNPP

By Zakaa Lazarus Abuja.

…SDP NWC sacks State Chairman, appoints Caretaker

The Imo state Chapter of the Social Democratic Party, SDP has suffered massive defection from it’s camp, as state secretary, Deputy Chairman and not fewer than 9 other state officers, 21 Local Government Chairmen and 196 ward chairmen with their executives join the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Imo state.

Addressing newsmen in Owerri, the State Secretary of SDP; Ben Anochie who resigned from the party 2 weeks ago noted that the state chairman was not just being too over bearing and self-centered but was also over pricing himself.

Mr. Anochie noted that he and the other state, local government, ward officials and teaming over 46,000 members of SDP in Imo state have decided to join their former Mbaitoli- Ikeduru federal house of Representatives candidate; Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel in the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

“Since Godstime left SDP, the party in Imo state became directionless. I and my colleagues are now fully committed in birthing a New Imo through the Odunzeh- Godstime ticket 2023”, Anochie proclaimed.

Following the massive defection, the SDP national working committee has suspended the Imo State Chairman, Prince Marshall Okaforanyanwu and put in place a Caretaker State Working Committee, SWC headed by Eluwa Ifeanyi Henry.

In a letter dated 17th July 2023, which was signed by the National Secretary, Dr Olu Agunloye, the National leadership of the party suspended Prince Okaforanyanwu because of anti-party allegations.

The party, according to the letter has also set up a panel to investigate the allegations against the former Chairman, adding that the suspension subsists until further notice.

Addressing members of the Caretaker executives at the party secretariat in Owerri on Thursday, the new State Chairman, Mr Eluwa Ifeanyi Henry charged the SWC members to be up and doing and not show laxity.

He urged them to assist the party conquer the state, especially by attracting membership of young persons at the grassroots.

Eluwa informed the SWC members that the national leadership of the party had carefully constituted the new State executives to have about ninety percent of young people.

Making a brief appearance at the inaugural meeting, Imo State SDP gubernatorial candidate, Hon Obinna Bright Ekwebelem said the Caretaker Committee is God’s making to make a new thing in Imo as the former state Chairman; Okaforanyanwu was a torn in the flesh.

Ekwebelem urged them to sacrifice and work to make the SDP formidable again by building grassroots structure, stressing that national leadership is looking up to then to make the party viable.

Efforts to reach the suspended former Chairman, Prince Okaforanyanwu for comments proved abortive as he humg up on calls upon hearing he wants to be interviewed.

Raw evidences are that Mr. Okaforanyanwu is pitching tent with the PDP guber candidate in Imo.