A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated a new caretaker committee for Enugu State.
This followed the defection of Governor Peter Mbah to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The inauguration, held in Enugu on Sunday, was supervised by factional acting PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulraham Mohameed, and National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu.
The event drew a large turnout of party members from all 17 local government areas.
Mbah’s defection on October 24, 2025, alongside his executive council and state PDP leadership, ended the party’s dominance in Enugu for the first time since 1999.
At the ceremony, former Igboeze South Local Government Chairman, Vitus Okechi, assumed office as chairman of the caretaker committee, while Chukwunonye Okereke was inaugurated as secretary.
Okechi pledged to rebuild the party’s grassroots structures and restore its political dominance. “Enugu State is PDP, and PDP is Enugu State. We appreciate those who refused to defect despite challenges. Your loyalty will be rewarded. Returning to the Lion Building in 2027 is fait accompli,” he declared, promising an “efficient, smart and relentless” mobilisation strategy.
Okereke emphasised integrity and inclusiveness in leadership. “We are committed to a recalibrated PDP driven by honesty, appreciation of members, and proper administrative competence,” he said.
Immediate past vice chairman of the party, Dr Okey Ozoani, described the new leadership as an opportunity to correct past mistakes. “The current political situation arose from an alien leadership disconnected from the PDP family. 2027 offers us an opportunity to restore our legacy,” he noted.
Other stakeholders, including Dr Nnamdi Onyia, urged members to remain steadfast, stressing that loyalty and consistency remain the foundation of political reward.
Dignitaries such as Prof. (Mrs) Iloh, Celine Ugwu, Chizoba Ezeagor, Chief Ken Obiora, Chief Chukwujekwu Nebo, and Chief Obiora Ugwu expressed confidence in the caretaker committee and encouraged the party to stay focused on rebuilding.
Goodwill messages at the event emphasised the immediate reactivation of PDP structures across all 260 wards in preparation for future electoral contests.
