TEXT OF A PRESS CONFERENCE ADDRESSED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), IMO STATE, BARR. CHARLES EZEKWEM. ON SATURDAY JULY 22 2017

Gentlemen,

1. Let me start by appreciating our party members across the State. What you have demonstrated in the past two years is indeed a great show of Solidarity and absolute Loyalty. I pledge on my honour that I and my executives will not fail you. To Imo people who have continually supported us, we plead with you not to loose hope. We are back and better.

2. It is certain that the supreme court ruling has raised some issues, they are normal in party politics. We however wish to urge all our aggrieved members to return to the party lets move the party forward. We have fought enough. It is time to mend fences and move ahead. On the statement credited to my former Chairman and learned colleague, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehe, I sincerely do not believe that He made such claims to anybody. Same with the statement credited to Distinguish Senator Hope Uzodinma. I have high regards for these individuals. I have no doubt that they did not make such statements. There are certain persons who are benefiting from these issues. They are the ones who dont want the matter to end. We should be very careful of them.

3. I urge the APC government in the state led by Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha to hide their face in shame for accepting that they have been owing our senior citizens. The PDP has on several occasions noted that the government should as a matter of urgency pay our pensioners. These claims the government denied. It is however surprising that the State Governor upon acknowledgment of the receipt of the recently released Paris Club Fund Refund, told Imolites that He will use the 7 Billon Naira to pay pensioners. What a Man! We therefore urge the State government to as a matter of pity on Ndi Imo who have suffered so much utilise this money for the purpose it is meant for. The State house of assembly members should at the same time rise to their duty and monitor how the executive is spending these funds. It is part of their oversight functions.

4. Let it be clear to every party member across the state that we are open to everybody. The party doesn't belong to any individual. Feel free to contest for any position of interest. We shall run open primaries where the winner will be decided by the people. We will do our best in flushing out impunity at all organs of the party. The National Working Committee has mandated us to set up reconciliation and disciplinary committees. We shall do that soon. Our interest is to unite and move our party forward. We have only one single mission. Which is to join hands and vote the APC government out in 2019. This will save Ndi Imo from further suffering and this impressionistic government that has nothing to offer.

5. The PDP will continue to offer credible and responsible opposition to the present APC government. We urge Ndi Imo to exercise patience. PDP shall come back to power soon. We also appreciate the press for standing by us during the time of party crises. We urge you to remain thorough and at all times verify before publishing. This will save us a lot of inconveniences.

Once again, thanks for listening.