The leadership of Aboh Mbaise chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has debunked what it termed "purported defection claims" by those it described as the domestic staff of former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Chief Emeka Ihedioha.
The chapter, in a statement, signed by Sir Maxwell Nnabuihe, Chairman, Aboh Mbaise PDP, maintained that in stories, which it said were reported in social media, the Ihedioha's 'domestic staff' claimed that they had emptied the PDP in Aboh Mbaise immediately the former Deputy Speaker resigned.
The chapter, which is Ihedioha's home base, maintained that he "was sacked from the party following his inability to sway the NEC of our great party to dissolve the National Working Committee."
It continued: "Ordinarily, we would not have given credence to a drowning man by way of giving him a response. But, for the purpose of clarity, we are forced to issue this statement to put the records straight.
"The only people that resigned from the party in Aboh Mbaise are mainly political jobbers and domestic staff of Chief Ihedioha.
"How can one talk about emptying the party in Aboh Mbaise when the likes of the Apex Leader of the party, Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN); Rt. Hon. Mike Iheanetu, former Minority Leader of Imo State House of Assembly; Chief Anamelechi Aguwa, former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Imo State; Hon. Ugochukwu Amuchie, the incumbent Honourable Member Representing Aboh Mbaise State Constituency, and Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Arthur Ugochukwu; a former House of Assembly aspirant; Hon. Dumebi Nwachukwu, former New Media Director, Imo PDP Governorship Campaign Council, and many other members are still strong members of the party?"
The PDP, Aboh Mbaise chapter maintained that as far as it was concerned, "Nobody left our party. In fact, the departure of Ihedioha and his boys have opened doors for all those who left the party in the past because of his overbearing influence to return home to our great party."
It urged the public to ignore what it termed "Ihedioha and his propaganda machines", stressing, "Our party is more focused on retiring him from active politics and returning our great party to power at all levels of government.
"In the coming days, our party shall unveil its Blueprint towards building a united and prosperous party in Aboh Mbaise."