2027: Enugu Political Unity Perfected As Edeoga Dumps Labour Party, Returns To PDP
Governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections in Enugu state, Chief Chijioke Edeoga, has formally returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attributing his return to Governor Peter Mbah”s good governance in the state..
Edeoga who expressed happiness to be back to his former party said it was “time for all to join hands with Governor Mbah in the great works he is doing in Enugu State”.
He promised to work for the party’s successes in the 2027 elections, saying,”I rededicate myself to PDP to make sure that the PDP becomes the winning machine in Enugu state”
Edeoga had arrived the party ‘s Secretariat located in Enugu Monday morning for the formal presentation to the State party chairman, Dr Martin Chukwuwike, amidst joy and loud ovation from party members.
Speaking shortly after his presentation to the state chairman, Edeoga said ” a thing like this has not happened in Enugu state before. It took deliberate mental activities to achieve that”. He described the move as unprecedented noting that it is going to bring a paradigm shift in the political landscape of Enugu State.
“I want to say that I’m happy to be here. I want to start by thanking in a very special way, the Governor of Enugu State. I appreciate that what has happened today cannot begin to be conceived without his political involvement. By this gesture, he has demonstrated a mental state that is worthy of appreciation and that is worthy of being supported or rewarded to the extent that is humanly possible.
“A thing like this has never happened in the annals of Enugu State politics. It might look small, but it will cause a paradigm shift in the way politics is played in Enugu State. It is no longer something where you warehouse bitterness. It is no longer winner takes all. All those things that people have been trying to preach in Nigeria like accommodating everybody, are being demonstrated in Enugu State.
“So, I rededicate myself again to the PDP to make sure that the PDP remains a winning machine in Enugu State as it has always been. I am happy to be here. I appreciate all those who made it possible,” he said.
Edeoga noted that his return to the PDP would not be appreciated by some members of the society, explaining that it is time to unite as a family and form a formidable front ahead of 2027 elections.
He further thanked the state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah and all the people that plaed distinct roles in making it possible for him to return to the party where he truly belongs.
Receiving Edeoga back to the party, the Enugu state PDP chairman, Dr Martin Chukwunwike welcomed him for coming back to his former party. He said Edeoga had come back to the party and that would not be taken for granted .
According to the chairman, Edeoga’s return to the party is a testament to Governor Peter Mbah”s good leadership . He assured that more aggrieved members who left the party in the past would soon rejoin the party
He commended Edeoga for being the first person to register as member since his assumption of office as PDP state chairman and also for his spirit of oneness and brotherhood which motivated him to think of going back to the party.
He described Edeoga’s return as strategic for Enugu PDP with the blessings of Governor Peter Mbah who believes in a united and progressive Enugu state.
“Our number one term of reference upon our election as the state’s party leadership is to reunite the party. His Excellency said that we must work to bring everybody together.
“So, today is a major step in that direction. With this move and many others like it to come, 2027 general elections will be a walkover for the PDP in Enugu State. So, we warmly welcome our brother and his supporters back,” he said.
In his opening speech , the ward chairman of Eha-Amufu ward 11(Edeoga’s Ward), Onunze Uzochukwu , said Edeoga registered at the ward on March 29,2025. He thanked the state governor for supporting his return to the party.
On his part, the PDP Isiuzo Local Government chairman Jacob Abonyi said Edeoga has come back to the PDP, having registered in his ward on 29th March,2025. He thanked him for accepting to come back to the party.
Speaking also, the Chairman of Isi-uzo Local Government Area, the returnee’s council area, Obiora Obeagu described Edeoga’s return to the PDP as a welcome development. He expressed the confidence that the party would now move stronger devoid of distractions and rancour .
“It is a welcome development. For me, I will say it is long expected, considering the conciliatory dispositions of our capable governor.
“From day one, the Governor has shown that after politics, we have governance. Not minding that the major opposition came from Isi-Uzo, Governor Peter Mbah started a lot of projects there. When the Smart Schools were first being awarded, Isi-Uzo got the next to the highest. That will show you the type of a leader he is.
“Beyond the Smart Green Schools, we have Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centres across all the wards. We have the almost completed 21.7km asphalt road going to our farm settlements as well as the ongoing 41km Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway to help open up the economic corridors and solve the problem of insecurity.
“These things are practical and there is nobody that will see them and will not want to come back to the PDP and join the governor in the good works he is doing to transform Enugu State.
“So, what has happened today has vindicated some of us in Isi-Uzo that supported Mbah in 2023. We made our choices then and today Hon. Edeoga is also making that same choice. It is a welcome development. I believe we are all one now and we are all going to join Governor Mbah to work for the interest of Ndi Enugu,” he stated.
On his part, the state Deputy chairman of the PDP, Steve Orurua expressed happiness that Edeoga has returned to his former party.
It could be recalled that Edeoga had met with the leadership of Enugu State PDP behind closed doors on January 31, fueling speculations about his possible return to his former party.
Chief Edeoga had been in the PDP for more than 25 years before his defection to the Labour party. He held several elected and appointed positions in Enugu state and national levels.He is a former Chairman,Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, former Commissioner, former House of Representatives member, former Special Adviser to the former president of Nigeria,Goodluck Jonathan among others.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, while he is presently on his M.Sc programme also in Mass Communication, at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is currently the NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
