Imo PDP threatens sanction on members who dispute sack of LG, ward officials

Ihedioha tasks monarchs on unity, names Okiro ISOPADEC chair
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State has hinted that it would sanction members who worked or are working against its interests in the state.

The deputy chairman, Martins Ejiogu, who spoke to The Guardian yesterday, was reacting to the sack of three council chairmen and 26 ward officials in the state by its leadership.

He disclosed that the affected persons were removed following ratification of the State Working Committee (SWC) report of the disciplinary committee that investigated their activities and found them guilty of anti-party activities, insubordination and related offenses contrary to the party’s constitution.

The affected chairmen are Tony Mbaegbu (Ideato South), Anayo Udechukwu (Isu) and Anayo Nwaejesi (Oru East), while Polycarp Ajoko, Bony Ugwuegbu, Vincent Okehie and Ekene Ibejiuba are among ward officials who were sanctioned.

Ejiogu said while the PDP welcomes new members who desire to join the party, those whose activities and loyalty had become questionable and inimical to the success of the party would be shown the way out.

Meanwhile, Governor Emeka Ihedioha has charged traditional rulers to be united and give the state government the needed support to succeed.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to restoring Imo traditional values, adding that the monarchs would be treated with utmost regard, as leaders and custodians of culture.

The governor stated this when he received representatives of the traditional rulers and leaders from Mbaise in his Mbutu country home at the weekend.

He pointed out that the traditional institution under the immediate past government was ridiculed and bastadized for selfish reasons, stressing that his administration was poised to unite all the monarchs in the state.

Governor Ihedioha stressed the need for peace, unity and charged them to preach unity across the state.

“Our administration will be meaningless if we have disunited traditional institution. Our task today is to preach the gospel of peace and unity across the state to ensure reconciliation. The benefits of unity cannot be overemphasised,” he stated.

Chairman, Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Leo Nwokocha; Chairman, Mbaise Elders Council, Air Commodore Luke Ochulor; and Chairman, Ezuruezu Mbaise, Cyril Anyanwu said they visited Ihedioha to congratulate him on his victory at the poll, reinforce unity in the state and support his government to succeed.

Ihedioha has also approved the appointment of former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, as Chairman, Advisory Committee of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC).

His deputy, Gerald Irona, disclosed this in Oguta at the weekend during a stakeholders’ meeting.

He pointed out that the committee would hold advisory meetings with the commission on how to develop the oil-bearing communities of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta councils of the state, among other terms of reference.