By John Ituma (Ebonyi State Correspondent)
The Ebonyi State Chapter of the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, formally collapsed its structures, from the Ward to the State levels, into the People's Democratic Party (PDP).
The merger which was led by the former National Vice Chairman of the ANN for the South East Zone, Dr. Lazarus Eze, was announced by the leadership of the party during a civic reception in honour of the new Ebonyi State PDP Chairman, Mr. Tochukwu Okorie, which held in Ugwulangwu, Ọhaozara Local Government Area of the State.
Dr. Eze announced that the Ebonyi State Caucus of the defunct Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) is excited about its decision to join the People's Democratic Party (PDP). The state structure consists of former members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), State Executive Committee (SECOND), Ward Executives and over 100,000 members and supporters across the state.
"We were welcomed by the State PDP Chairman and the leaders of the party including party officials, State and National Assembly members", said Eze, adding that "Before the de-registration of Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), over 70 other political parties in February 2020, the Ebonyi State chapter was the most viable chapter in the country. We produced the highest number of aspirants in the party in 2019 and presented strong candidates during the election.
"After a detailed analysis of the deplorable state of the nation and the need to rescue Ebonyi State and Nigeria from the abysmally poor leadership of the APC which has brought unprecedented hardship to the citizens, we are happy to join the PDP on the rescue mission it has embarked on.
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"The Ebonyi PDP under the chairmanship of Mr. Tochukwu Okorie ignites hope for a greater future for our people. We believe that the PDP will restore hope, good governance, prosperity, improved quality of life and respect for human dignity in our beloved state. We enjoin all our members and supporters who are yet to register officially with PDP to do so without delay, in their respective political wards.
"We respect the choices of a few of our former members (less than 1%) who may prefer another political platform or delay their decision of joining the party at this time.
"Finally, we throw our weight behind the presidential aspirations of the distinguished Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. We align with his mission to rescue, reunite, rebuild, reposition and restore hope in Nigeria.
The former ANN leaders who consumated the merger deal with PDP in Ebonyi are: Dr. Lazarus Eze, former National Vice Chairman South East and Convener, Anyim4Nigeria Movement; Mr. Egwu Okwudili, former National Financial Secretary; Mr. Nweli Hillary Ifeanyi, former State Chairman on behalf of the past State Working Committee Members and Mr. Philemon Aja, former Ivo LGA ANN Chairman (on behalf of past LGA Chairmen).
Others are: Engr. Isu Nkaa Amechi, ANN Candidate for Afikpo North West State House of Assembly Constituency in 2019; Dr. Maduka Nwambam, ANN Candidate for the Ikwo State House of Assembly Constituency and Mr. Walter Timothy, a former Okposi Ward 4 ANN Chairman, on behalf of the former Ward Chairmen. NNL.
