A former Council chairman of Umuahia North, Chief Johnson Onuigbo (a.k.a Akinbod), Tuesday evening emerged the new chairman of Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Onuigbo was elected at the party’s State Congress held at the Umuahia Township Stadium.

Elected Deputy Chairman was the immediate past Majority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, Chief Princewill Onyegbu, with Ibe Nwadioha emerging as the Secretary.

A former lawmaker representing Umunneochi State Constituency, Chief Matthew Ibe, Obinna Nwachukwu and a former Commissioner for Sports, Chief David Chigbu, were elected Vice Chairman for Abia North, Abia Central and Abia South senatorial zones respectively.

Others who equally emerged victorious at the congress include Steve Omoga (Treasurer), St. Moses Ogbonna (Organising Secretary), immediate past Commissioner for Petroleum, Don Ubani (Publicity Secretary), Jerry Uzorsike (Financial Secretary), Mrs Love Ezema (Woman Leader) and David Iroh (Youth Leader) while Barrister Omenihu is the Legal Adviser.

The new Abia PDP executive emerged through consensus and harmonisation, thus leading to a peaceful congress.

Chairman of the congress, Senator Saidu Kumor, praised Abia PDP for the peace that has prevailed during its congresses, from the ward level to the state congress, describing it as a brotherly affair.

“I am impressed by the conduct of party faithful as the Ward, Local Government and State Congresses have been done in a friendly, brotherly and family affair. The new executives at these levels were produced by consensus and mutual understanding,” Kumor said.

Outgoing State Chairman of PDP, Senator Emma Nwaka, commended members of his executive for the team spirit they exhibited and all party members for their support. He enjoined them to extend same to incoming Onuigbo-led executive. He dedicated the victories of PDP in Abia to all the members.

“I am glad that our congresses have proceeded smoothly. It is a human process, there is no way it could be perfect,” Nwaka said, urging aggrieved members to take their case to the Congress Appeal Panel.

He said after the congresses, the party would set up a Reconciliation Committee to, among other things, bring back members who have left the party.

Present at the Congress were the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, his Deputy, Sir Ude Okochukwu, Senators Mao Ohuabunwa, Theodore Orji and Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe; Speaker Abia state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike, as well as Chief Sam Onuigbo (Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency) Uko Nkole (Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency) and Solomon Adaelu (Osisioma/Obingwa/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency), among other political heavy weights.