The National Vice-Chairman (South-East) of the party, Austine Umahi, disclosed this at a media conference after the caucus meeting on Friday in Abuja.

Umahi said the caucus took the decision after a careful consideration of Secondus’ “Content and character.”

“We, the stakeholders of PDP South-East geo-political zone, have examined all the people vying for the national chairmanship position of our party, PDP.

“We wish to commend, highly, all the aspirants especially on how they have conducted themselves during their campaigns fully aware that this is an internal party affair.

“We are very conscious of the personality of who becomes the national chairman of our great party for the next four years.

“Based on the fore going, we have unanimously in our today’s stakeholders’ meeting, decided that we will back an aspirant that has character and content.

“In this circumstance, and without prejudice to the right of other aspirants to this national chairmanship position, credible and transparent election, we have decided to back and vote for Prince Uche Secondus,’’ he said.

He said the caucus was solidly behind Secondus for the position of national chairman of the party.

Umahi added that the stakeholders also endorsed some other candidates in the positions zoned to the South-East.

The candidates, he said were: Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), Udeh Okoye and Alphonsus Gerard for the positions of National Organising Secretary, National Youth Leader and Deputy Financial Secretary.

The meeting was attended by South-East PDP leaders, including the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, Ebonyi Governor, Dave Umahi and former Imo Governor, Sam Egwu.

Erstwhile Senate President Adolphus Wabara and ex-Abia governor, Theodore Orji, former PDP national chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor, a one-time Deputy Speaker,House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha were also in attendance.

The PDP governorship candidate in the Nov.18 Anambra governorship election, Oseloka Obaze among others also attended the occasion.

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Nwodo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that Ekwueme made significant contributions in his public service that guided the country well.

“I served as a minister during the time Ekwueme was vice-president of Nigeria and his contributions were outstanding,’’ he said.

Nwodo also noted Ekwueme’s contributions during the National Constitutional Conference that led to the creation of six geo-political zones in Nigeria.

He said Ekwueme was a good example of a patriotic and forthright Nigerian and an illustrious Igbo son, whose roles in the peace and stability of the country could not be questioned.

In his reaction, a former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, said the death of Ekwueme was regrettable.

“Ekwueme, not minding his age is very useful to you at anytime you engage him on issues and his death is very regrettable at this time irrespective of his age,’’ he said.

Similarly, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, said Ekwueme showed good example of what an Igbo man should be.

“Ekwueme represented the Igbo people well in his public service, though his death is painful, we pray God to grant his soul eternal rest,’’ Uwazuruike said.

Igwe Ralp Ekpeh, the traditional ruler of Enugwu Ukwu in Anambra, described the death as a great loss to Anambra people, Ndigbo, Nigeria and Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion.

Prof. Stella Okunna, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka described Ekwueme as one of the pillars of democracy in Nigeria.

Okunna, a former Commissioner for Information in Anambra, said the contributions of Ekwueme would be greatly missed at this time democratic governance in Nigeria was still evolving.

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The meeting, which lasted for about 45 minutes, was speculated as part of the plan for Ogbulafor‎ to dump the PDP for the APC, but Ogbulafor, who had once boasted that the PDP would rule Nigeria for at least 60 years, denied such plan to leave the party.

The former PDP boss, while addressing journalists after the meeting, ‎however added that the possibility of his defection to the APC could not be outrightly ruled out.
“I have been National Chairman, National Secretary and Minister. I will remain in PDP until it becomes necessary to make a change,” he said.‎

Ogbulafor insisted that he was at the APC secretariat to congratulate the party’s national chairman on the victory of the party in the just concluded general elections.

Ogbulafor said his boast when he was the PDP National Chairman that the party would rule for at least 60 years crumbled because of the dismantling of the Nigerian Governors Forum.

His encounter with journalists went thus:

We are surprised you are here sir

I just came back into town yesterday (Thursday) and I came to congratulate the national chairman of APC for a job well done.

Don’t you think some of your party members in the PDP might read meaning to this?

How can they feel offended? I am still in the PDP.

Are you considering joining APC?

Not yet. Even if I will, not yet.‎

How do you feel about General Buhari’s victory at the poll?

I am very happy.

But sir, we recalled that you were the one who said PDP would rule for 60 years.

Well, when they dismantled governors forum, what do you expect? ‎

But you are coming to associate with APC?

I am a Nigerian.

Won’t it be treated as anti-party activity by your party?

I am a Nigerian. APC has produced the President of this country and I have to congratulate him for a job well done.

Are you still in PDP?

Why not?
‎
How would you describe the election in Abia your home state?

When they conclude it, you will get the result.

How soon should we be expecting you in APC?

I have been National Chairman, National Secretary and Minister. I will remain in PDP until it becomes necessary to make a change.

In his reaction, National Deputy Chairman (South) of the APC, Segun Oni, said the meeting between Odigie-Oyegun and Ogbulafor was private, insisting that the meeting had nothing to do with Ogbulafor defecting to the APC.‎

“I saw him (Ogbulafor) but I think it is a private visit he came for. Don’t forget, the National Chairman is his friend and some of us are also his friends. I don’t think it has anything to do with him coming to the APC,” Oni said.

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