There is rising tension in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the exodus of southeast party members from the party. The tension was accelerated as the former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, was sighted visiting the national secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Monday. The sudden visit appeared to confirm the lingering insinuations that Ekweremadu may have resolved to quit the PDP and join the APC.
It was gathered that Ekweremadu was accompanied to the APC national secretariat by Governor Hope Uzodinmma of Imo State.
Ekweremadu, representing Enugu West in the National Assembly since 2003 on the platform of the PDP, had aspired for the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State but had to withdraw hours to the party primary.
However, Ekweremadu was gathered to explain that he was at the APC national secretariat to “see his friend”, – the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu.
The Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe, had resigned the position he held on behalf of the PDP, and defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), where he secured senatorial ticket for the 2023 elections. Abaribe, like Ekweremadu, aspired for the PDP governorship ticket in Abia State but withdrew before the primary election was held.
A presidential aspirant in the PDP, Peter Obi, had also resigned from the PDP to join the Labour Party, where he secured the presidential ticket for the 2023 general elections.
The PDP may be becoming weary that the party may be encountering a gale of defections in the southeast towards the 2023 general elections.