Ebonyi: PDP members give reasons to support Odii, deny defection to APC

Two members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, Jimoh Abu and Anthony Awaza, have reaffirmed their support for the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, saying they believe he is ready to deliver development in the state.

The duo made the statement at a press conference in Abakaliki, Tuesday, where they denied reports that they had defected to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

They said state government officials, accompanied by members of the state vigilante group, invaded the Jimoh Guest House in the Hausa neighborhoods of Abakaliki, abducted tenants, staff and other customers and forced Abu to announce his defection to the APC.

Abu insisted that the alleged incident would not force him to abandon the PDP or withdraw his support for Odii, popularly known as AnyiChuks.

“Despite threats from government, I remain a member of the PDP and a supporter of Chief Odii, the PDP governorship candidate, because we believe he is prepared and ready to give Ebonyi a developmental makeover,” he said.

Awaza said his support for Odii was based on personal assistance to the candidate during a period of serious health problems. He claimed that Odii sent him $3 million to settle his medical bills at Niger Foundation Hospital, Enugu.