The Congress of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu state on Saturday produced the state Commissioner for Housing Dr Martin Chukwunwike as its chairman, just as the party vowed to return all elective posts in the state to the PDP.

The party attributed the loss of some legislative seats in the 2023 general elections to the Labour Party to Peter Obi’s influence, stressing that it would no longer allow a repeat in the state

LP snatched majority seats at the National and State Assemblies in the state in the 2023 polls but failed in the governorship seat.

Others elected are: Deputy Chairman – Chief Steve Oruruo; Secretary – Mr Chukwudi Nnadozie; Auditor – Mr Toby Odinwankpa; Deputy Chairman Enugu East – Nnamdi Nwafor; Deputy Chairman Enugu West – Ernest Nwaeze; State Organising Secretary – Onyi Odibe; State Woman Leader – Princess Peace Nnaji; Youth Leader – Beneath Ajah and Publicity Secretary – Mr Uchenna Obute among others.

Chukwunwike who emerged unopposed during the 2024 Enugu State PDP Congress held at Okpara Square, said the party would take steps to remain in firm control of the state

Chukwunwike had served as Commissioner in the State Executive Council three times between 2003-2007, 2007-2011, and 2023-till his election.

The Chairman of the state PDP Congress Committee, Dr Tony Iyoha, who declared the results of the elected State Executive Committee had earlier announced that the positions were contested unopposed.

Iyoha said, “By the power vested on me as the chairman of the electoral committee for Enugu State PDP Congress, I declare you as the dully elected PDP State Executive Committee.”

Earlier, Iyoha stated that he and his committee members were in Enugu for the purpose of conducting the election for state PDP executive.

He commended Governor Peter Mbah-led administration for holding the party members united despite the outcome of the 2023 general elections.

“We want to thank the government of Enugu State for making the PDP family in Enugu to be one. Since the Congress started, we have not had any problem. The process has been flawless and we thank the governor, Dr Peter Mbah, for making PDP family in Enugu State proud.”

In his acceptance speech, the new chairman, Chukwunwike thanked Governor Mbah and all the delegates for reposing their confidence on him and other elected members of SEC.

He promised that he will sustain the popularity of PDP in Enugu State as a party of “first choice”.

He said, “On behalf of the new Executive of PDP in Enugu State I congratulate all those elected with me. I also say a very big thank you to electoral committee that came all the way from Abuja. Your Excellency I want to assure you that this committee will definitely give you what will be described as unalloyed support, unalloyed loyalty. We know that loyalty cannot be 99.9%, is either 100% or you are not loyal. I will assure you that this committee will show you unalloyed 100% loyalty.

“I also want to assure His Excellency and the entire state that wherever the past executive stopped, we are going to build further. You know that no union is perfect but everywhere things had gone wrong I am assuring you that we will make sure all those things are ratified and make PDP a singular party in Enugu State.

“It is also obvious that in two weeks we are going to elect our local government Chairmen and councilors, I want assure you that this team will do all our best to make sure that we continue to do our 17 over 17,” he said.

In his farewell address, the outgone chairman, Chief Augustine Nnamani, thanked Governor Peter Mbah for reviving PDP again in Enugu State from the Peter Obi’s factor, which greatly affected the party in the state and the entire South East region.

“Peter Obi’s factor affected the party’s future in the state, not only in the state but across the Southeast region, but we thank God that Peter Mbah survived and rescued the party. Now we are a party of number one choice,” he stated.