Ike Ekweremadu, deputy Senate President, has urged his supporters not to be distracted by defection propaganda peddled on him.
Mr Ekweremadu stated this while reacting to claims by Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) that the top lawmaker in conjunction with some state governors from the South-East were working for the re-election of their principal, Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s President.
Mr Buhari is seeking a second term in office on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) while the top legislator is in the opposing camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ekweremadu is reported to have been sidelined on recent developments in the PDP, this the opposition party denied.
The lawmaker while claiming no division exist in the PDP said the misinformation are orchestrated attempts by some characters to create the impression of a divided house in the party ahead of the presidential election.
“Such characters dish out fake and divisive stories without source on a daily basis and attribute same to me,” Ekweremadu said in a statement on Monday.
“While I refuse to be distracted by such cheap blackmail, smear campaign, and propaganda, it is important to assure our supporters that PDP is united and focused on wrestling power from the APC for the good of Nigeria.
“After the PDP lost the presidency and majority status at the national assembly, I made it clear that I would stand by the party. It took other party stakeholders and I a lot of efforts, sacrifices, and painstaking negotiations with soul searching to hold the party together.
“If I did not abandon PDP at its darkest hour, it does not make the slightest sense to say that I abandoned it now that it’s sun is rising again,” he said.
Ekweremadu added that leaders of the region were strategizing on how to ensure the party secures the support of the zone.
“Meanwhile, I held separate meetings with our Vice Presidential candidate, Peter Obi and the Chairman, South East Governors Forum, Dave Umahi, to set up a meeting of party stakeholders by weekend to work out strategies for the success of our party in the coming elections.
“I have no doubt that the South East PDP leaders will deliver the region overwhelmingly to the PDP as usual. I expect that other leaders will also do the same in their geopolitical zones.
“I, therefore, urge our supporters not to be distracted by such propaganda as we approach the critical stages in the coming elections. We should rather focus on delivering the votes for the success of our party,” Ekweremadu said.
