Oruruo assumes duty as new Enugu PDP chairman

Hon. Steve Oruruo has assumed duty as the new acting chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State with a pledge to rebuild, reposition and reenergise the party following the recent defections of Governor Peter Mbah and other top members.

Speaking during a briefing at the party’s secretariat in Enugu, Oruruo assured members and supporters that the PDP remains strong and united despite the political shake-up.

“The intent of this gathering is to assure the people of Enugu, nay Nigeria, that PDP is still very much alive in Enugu State,” he declared. “We’re willing at the moment to rebuild the party in the face of the current defections of Governor Peter Mbah and other elected officials of the Enugu State Government.”

Oruruo said his leadership would focus on galvanizing the party’s faithful to remain steadfast and committed to its ideals, noting that the party had faced similar challenges in other states and still stood firm.

He promised to ensure credible conventions and primaries that would produce quality candidates capable of earning the trust and support of the electorate, emphasizing that the PDP is entering a new phase of renewal and renaissance.

“We’re creating a sense of reawakening. Even in the face of persons leaving the party, it does not amount to the capitulation of the PDP,” he said. “If credible candidates emerge from our ranks, the public will rally behind them.”

While acknowledging that the governor’s departure might have financial implications, Oruruo maintained that the will of the people would continue to drive the party’s strength and direction.

He assured that under his watch, the PDP in Enugu would uphold fairness, equity, and a level playing field for all members, stressing that the party would remain independent and people-oriented.

“We want to stand and create a party that will win elections. We’re building a PDP that is highly independent. We can’t win elections if we’re not independent,” Oruruo stated.

On the relationship between the state and national leadership of the PDP, Oruruo called for greater inclusivity of the Southeast in the party’s national structure and decision-making process.

“The Southeast must be encapsulated fully in everything that the PDP is doing at the national level,” he said. “Going forward, the Southeast must be included in all political calculations and permutations so that our people can remain resolute behind the party.”

Oruruo, a former Commissioner for Information, vowed to lead with transparency, sincerity, and justice, adding that his goal is to build a stronger and more cohesive PDP capable of winning future elections.

He concluded by reaffirming that the PDP in Enugu is “in pole position to accommodate the yearnings of our people”, as the party embarks on a fresh journey to restore its dominance in the state’s political landscape.
Source: The Nation