Barrister Chijioke Edeoga has dumped the Labour Party (LP) where he contested the 2023 Enugu State governorship election to officially rejoin the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Edeoga’s earlier exit from PDP followed the party’s primary election in which Peter Mbah defeated him and emerged the candidate. In response, he moved to the LP where he ran a competitive campaign but ultimately lost again to Mbah.
His return comes weeks after a high-profile visit by PDP leaders, led by the party’s state chairman, Hon. Martin Chukwunweike. The chairman met Edeoga at his Enugu residence, urging him to return to his “political family.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) also made efforts to woo him, but he sought input from stakeholders in his Isi-Uzo Local Government Area before making a decision.
Edeoga Speaks Explains His U-turn
On Monday, Edeoga arrived at the PDP secretariat in Enugu, describing his return as a “homecoming.” Addressing party members, he expressed gratitude to Governor Peter Mbah and other PDP leaders for facilitating his return.
“I want to say that I’m happy to be here and to start by thanking in a very special way, the governor of Enugu State. I appreciate that what has happened today could not have been conceived without his political involvement,” Edeoga said.
Edeoga praised Mbah for his inclusiveness and changing the political landscape in Enugu State.
“A thing like this has never happened in the annals of Enugu State politics. It might look small, but it will cause a paradigm shift in the way politics is played in Enugu State,” he said.
“It is no longer something where you warehouse bitterness. It is no longer winner takes all. All those things that people have been trying to preach in Nigeria, like accommodating everybody, are being demonstrated in Enugu State.”
He pledged his loyalty to the PDP and assured party members of his commitment to strengthening the party’s position in the state.
“I rededicate myself again to the PDP to make sure that the PDP remains a winning machine in Enugu State as it has always been,” he said.
PDP Warmly Welcomes Edeoga
Hon. Chukwunweike described Edeoga’s return as a significant boost for the party, stating that it aligned with the governor’s vision for a united PDP in Enugu.
“Our number one term of reference upon our election as the state’s party leadership is to reunite the party. His Excellency said that we must work to bring everybody together. So, today is a major step in that direction.”
According to Chukwunweike, with moves like this, PDP is well-positioned for victory in the 2027 general elections.
The Chairman of Isi-Uzo LGA, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, described Edeoga’s return as an affirmation of Governor Mbah’s leadership style. He observed that Mbah prioritized development in Isi-Uzo, notwithstanding it was a stronghold of the opposition in the 2023 election.
“From day one, the governor has shown that after politics, we have governance. Not minding that the major opposition came from Isi-Uzo, Governor Peter Mbah started a lot of projects there,” he said.
He cited the construction of smart schools, primary healthcare centers, and key road projects. The roads include the 21.7km asphalt road to farm settlements and the 41km Owo-Ubahu-Amankanu-Neke-Ikem dual carriageway.
“These things are practical, and there is nobody that will see them and will not want to come back to the PDP and join the governor in the good works he is doing to transform Enugu State,” Obeagu said.
He added that Edeoga’s decision validates the choices made by those who supported Mbah in 2023. “We are all one now, and we are all going to join Governor Mbah to work for the interest of Ndi Enugu.”
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