Johnkennedy Uzoma,Owerri
Former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Imo State, Barr. Charles Babatunde Ezekwem, has given reasons why he decided to abandon the party, saying that his contributions to the victory of the party in 2019 general elections was never appreciated.
He told newsmen, in Owerri, that he was treated as a stranger in a ruling government that he was the party’s chairman.
He, however, denied joining the All Progressives Congress (APC)) or any other political party as was being speculated in the state.
He also dismissed the claim in some quarters that he had resigned from the party in order to retain the chairmanship of the state-owned Heartland Football club.
It would be recalled that Barr. Ezekwem had, on Monday, resigned as the chairman and from the party all together.
Ezekwem, at the press conference, said that his decision to quit his chairmanship position and the party was borne out of the deliberate policy by a cabal he said was loyal to former Governor Emeka Ihedioha to shut him out of the activities of the government.
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He maintained that even decisions concerning the party were, in most cases, taken without his knowledge.
He said that it was under his chairmanship of the state PDP that restored the confidence of the people in the party and that he had also conducted the most free and fair primary elections which led to the overall victory of the party in the 2019.
According Ezekwem, “After the victory of the party in the 2019 gubernatorial, I began to see the signs that I am no longer wanted in the party and most sensitive meetings called by the government, I was never invited.
“Even when I attend public functions organized by the state government I was not given a seat and it was”.
He accused the former deputy governor, Hon. Gerald Irons, of sacking some council party chairmen who he said did not support them without my knowledge as the chairman of the party.
Ezekwem further alleged that he was being blackmailed by the supporters of former Governor Ihedioha who had wanted him out of the party at all cost and that the tacit backing of the former governor.
