The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has issued an open apology to the people of Abia, acknowledging their shortcomings and vowing to rectify their mistakes after their recent defeat in last year’s governorship election.
Addressing journalists at the PDP secretariat in Umuahia, Vice Chairman and Acting Publicity Secretary, Elder Abraham Amah, expressed the party’s commitment to learning from its past errors and charting a new course, as reported by a local radio station, Magic FM.
“We have learnt our lessons,” he stated, highlighting the party’s readiness to change its approach and rebuild trust.
Elder Amah admitted that the previous administration’s focus on engaging youths through a welfarist agenda detracted from other critical aspects of governance.
“The last administration engaged over 12,000 Abia youths, payrolling them monthly, which strained our finances and impacted our ability to pay pensions and other allowances,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, he noted that the administration, led by Dr. Ikpeazu, managed to pay 51 months of salaries out of 96 months in office, also addressing some pension arrears inherited from prior administrations.
Amah remains optimistic about the PDP’s future, mentioning the anticipated return of prominent political figures to the party.
Reacting to recent defections, the elders statesman likened the party to a tree shedding its dried leaves to make way for fresh growth.
“It is imperative for a tree to shed its dried leaves, so as to give way for fresh ones,” he remarked, acknowledging the party’s struggles in the last election due to its oversized structure and internal issues.
During the stakeholders’ meeting, former governor Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu declared the end of the era of imposition within the party, pledging that members would now have the power to choose their leaders.
State party chairman, Rt. Hon. Asiforo, urged members to stay resolute and continue supporting the party.
Elder Amah concluded on a hopeful note, emphasizing the party’s intent to do things differently and rebuild its relationship with the people of Abia.
