The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Imo State has held its first State and Local Government Area executive meeting, with party leaders calling for unity, mobilisation and expansion of membership across the state.
The meeting, which brought together stakeholders, party leaders and members from the 27 local government areas of the state, marked what the leadership described as a new phase in the growth and consolidation of the party in Imo State.
Speaking during the meeting, the Imo State Chairman of the party, Barrister Reginald Uwakwe, said the journey of the party had been a long one, noting that the movement initially began as an association before transforming into a political party.
According to him, the group went through years of legal battles over its registration before the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the party.
He explained that although the electoral body initially refused to comply with the directive, the party was eventually registered after the legal processes were concluded, under the national leadership of Senator Seriake Dickson.
Chief Uwakwe described the party as “an ark of Noah” that would save Nigeria from destruction, stressing that members must go back to their communities and mobilise more people into the party.
He expressed optimism that the party would take over the political landscape in Imo State, insisting that the NDC remained a credible political platform capable of addressing the failures of the current political system.
Also speaking at the meeting, the National Vice Chairman, South East of the party, Deacon Teddy Ik Obey, congratulated members in the state and described the gathering as part of the ongoing harmonisation process aimed at strengthening the party structure in Imo State.
Obey explained that his mission in the state was to restore peace, unity and stability within the party, noting that progress could only be achieved where unity and peace existed.
He maintained that the party would operate on the principles of consensus, transparency and due process, stressing that executive positions in the party would emerge through agreement among stakeholders.
According to him, the party must demonstrate to Nigerians that it believes in democratic principles and transparent leadership.
“This party belongs to the people, not to individuals. If we must become the party to beat in future elections, we must work together in unity,” he said.
He further urged members across the state to close ranks, mobilise their communities and prepare for upcoming congresses that would usher in a new set of ward, local government and state executives.
Addressing members and supporters, Obey also called on the people of Imo State to embrace the party, noting that the doors of the NDC remained open to new entrants who shared the vision of building a new Nigeria.
He said the party was committed to delivering true democratic services to the people and creating a platform where the interests of citizens would be placed above political godfatherism.
Among those present at the meeting was the Party Leader from Obowo Local Government Area, Chidi Eugene Ogbonna, who commended the leadership of the party for its efforts in building a credible political structure in the state.
Ogbonna, a political scientist and elections expert currently pursuing a PhD in Elections and Party Politics at Federal University Lokoja, described the meeting as a significant step toward strengthening the party ahead of future elections.
He noted that the NDC represented a new political direction and pledged to mobilise people from Obowo and other parts of the state to join the party.
Ogbonna, who also serves as a consultant supporting legislative and electoral studies for students of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, urged party members to remain committed to the ideals of unity, discipline and grassroots mobilisation.
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