Enugu PDP: Party members caution over alleged plot to replace ward executives

Forum 15 hours ago

Enugu PDP: Party members caution over alleged plot to replace ward executives

Concerned officials of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, have cried out to Governor Peter Mbah over alleged plan to replace already sworn in and serving ward executives.

The ward executives spoke in a Save Our Soul letter addressed to the governor, dated February 21, 2025, warning of the implications of allowing such illegality to thrive.

In the letter titled: ‘Urgent SOS Regarding the Unwarranted Manipulation to Change Some already Sworn-in ward Executives in Enugu’, the exco members, who wrote under the aegis of Concerned newly elected Enugu PDP ward executives, for fear of victimisation, said their illegal removal would lead to factionalization and litigation.

The letter reads, “We write to you with great urgency and concern regarding a matter that threatens the integrity, unity, and progress of our beloved party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Enugu state.

“It has come to our attention that certain individuals within both the Enugu State Government House and party leadership at the state level are secretly plotting to alter the names of the already published and sworn-in PDP ward executives in some local government in Enugu state which were duly elected and endorsed during the ward congresses held in August, 2024.

“These ward executives have been formally sworn in, signifying their rightful and legitimate positions as leaders of our great party at the ward level.

“We must stress that this potential act of manipulation poses serious dangers to our party’s future in Enugu state. The ramifications of tampering with the will of the people are multifaceted and far-reaching. We will highlight the most immediate dangers below:

“The elected ward executives have worked tirelessly to earn the trust and support of our party members. These leaders are not only familiar with the local challenges but are also well-respected within the community. Changing their names or positions will directly erode the trust that our members have in the process. It will breed discontent and create a perception of dishonesty within our party, leading to a decline in grassroots support.

“Any attempt to change some of the already published and sworn in ward executives will undoubtedly create division within the party.

“Factions and litigation will emerge, and infighting will cripple the ward chapter of the PDP.

“The unity that was painstakingly built over time will be shattered, and the resulting discord will weaken the party’s ability to function effectively.

“This division will only serve the interests of opposition parties and provide them with an opportunity to exploit our internal struggles.

“As the ruling party, the PDP must stand as a beacon of integrity, fairness, and transparency. Manipulating the leadership structure after the ward executives have been sworn in will cast a long shadow over the credibility of the PDP in Enugu State.

“It will be difficult for voters to trust a party that changes the leaders they voted for without due process.

“Our standing with the electorate will be severely damaged, and we risk losing vital support in the upcoming elections.”

They further stated that “they are elected ward executives, and any attempt to alter some of the names will breed anger and resentment among our loyal members.

“If the process is tampered with, we risk alienating a large base of supporters who may feel that their votes and efforts were in vain. This could lead to defections to rival parties or the loss of enthusiasm for our party’s campaigns.”

“You are aware that one of the cornerstones of our democracy is the ability to hold free and fair elections, where the voices of the people are respected.

“The attempts to manipulate some of the names of already sworn-in WARD executives would be a violation of this principle. It sends a dangerous message that elections are meaningless and that power is determined not by the people’s choice but by the whims of a few individuals.

“This undermines the very essence of democratic governance. A case study is the Plateau state episode of 2023 / 2024. There were also Zamfara 2014/2015 and River State 2018/2019. Pls let’s apply caution,” the concerned party members wrote.

They implored the governor “to take urgent steps to preserve the integrity of the PDP by ensuring that the names of the already sworn-in ward executives in Enugu state remain unchanged. We cannot afford to allow personal interests or political maneuvering to derail the collective aspirations of the people of Enugu State.

“It is our belief that, under your leadership, the PDP in Enugu State can continue to thrive through transparency, fairness, and a commitment to democratic principles. Any attempt to undermine the democratic process at the Ward level will have far-reaching negative consequences in Enugu State.

“We trust that you will give this matter the attention it deserves, and we look forward to your prompt action in ensuring that the elected and already sworn in ward executives in Enugu State are allowed to serve the people who chose them.”