Primaries: Ebonyi PDP debunks oath-taking rumour

Again, like what played out in 2015 general elections, the Umahi’s administration is facing another blackmail of administering oath to party officials to retain their support.

Prior to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, in 2015, delegates were allegedly pressured to swear to an oath, which was why Governor Umahi emerged the party flag bearer.

The opposition party in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has therefore raised alarm over a repeat of similar incident that played out in 2019 whereby delegates, for their love for money, volunteered to sell their votes.

Reacting to the allegation, Chairman of Ebonyi State Chapter of the PDP Barrister Onyekachi Nwebonyi debunked the claims.

Nwebonyi made the reaction on Thursday, shortly after the second day of the 42nd State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting held in Abakaliki, adding that the party do not take oath during primaries, but assured of free, fair and transparent primaries ahead of 2019 election.

“Among issues discussed were the distributions of new membership cards. Going by the election of the new chairman and other national committee of the party, it is a new dawn for the party.

“So, in line with the constitution, we must obtain the approval of SEC before we do same to our members. That was the major issue discussed in SEC and SEC approved that.

“The party with keen interest observed the infrastructural development and human empowerment taking place in the state, courtesy of our Governor, Engineer David Umahi Nweze”.

“As a party, we are happy with him and that is why we described him as the pride of our party. And SEC unanimously gave him vote of commendation because we are pleased with what is happening in the state.”

“As a politician, you should expect attack, especially when you are doing well. You do not expect oppositions to fold their arms, and the attack in the social media is the worst they can do”.

“How can you say we are administering oath. Oath for what? We took oath as party executives. Do we take oath in doing primaries? We do not do that. PDP is on ground. PDP is Ebonyi State and Ebonyi State is PDP.

“We are very much prepared for our primaries. I must tell you that we will do everything in line with the party constitution and the guideline that will come before the primaries,” he stated.