… Group gives party 24-hours to apologize to Minister
From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State has described the statement credited to the Minister of Works, Sen David Umahi over the ongoing stakeholders meeting of the party in the state where aspirants are being ‘annointed’ by the party and Governor Francis Nwifuru to contest its primaries for the party’s tickets for next year’s general election as a calculated attempt to mislead party faithful, incite tension, and precipitate crisis in the party.
Umahi had called for proper dialogue in the consensus arrangements of the party and Governor Francis and direct primaries for the party’s ticket if the consensus fails to work.
But in a statement signed by Arum Kenechukwu, the state APC Assistant Publicity Secretary, the party expressed deep concern and strong disapproval of some aspects of the Minister’s remarks which the party said if left unchecked, could destabilize the unity and discipline painstakingly built within the party.
The party further described Umahi’s statement as both surprising and unacceptable which appear to contradict the structure and cohesion he helped establish in the state and urged him to desist from making comments capable of plunging the party into unnecessary crisis, and instead act like an elder or risk losing his pride of place.
“The attention of the Ebonyi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to a publication credited to one of its highly revered stakeholders, the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
“While the party aligns with certain aspects of the statement, it views other elements as a calculated attempt capable of misleading party faithful, inciting tension, and precipitating avoidable political crisis within the state chapter.
“Against this backdrop, the Ebonyi APC wishes to unequivocally reaffirm its unwavering support for the President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Francis Nwifuru.
“The party emphasizes that both leaders remain its undisputed standard bearers at the national and state levels, respectively, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“The party further states that comprehensive arrangements have been concluded to ensure overwhelming electoral support for both the President and the Governor.
“Stakeholders across the state have intensified grassroots mobilization, not only by showcasing the visible achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the People’s Charter of Needs, but also by sensitizing voters on proper voting procedures to guarantee maximum participation and valid votes across Ebonyi State.
“However, Ebonyi APC expresses deep concern and strong disapproval of aspects of the Minister’s remarks which, if left unchecked, could destabilize the unity and discipline painstakingly built within the party.
“It is both surprising and unacceptable that statements credited to a leader of such stature appear to contradict the very structure and cohesion he helped establish.
“The party notes that the statement credited to the Minister of Works contains suggestions that could be interpreted as encouraging aspirants to sidestep the authority of the Governor, who remains the recognized leader of the APC in Ebonyi State.
“Such a position, the party insists, is not only inappropriate but also capable of igniting disunity and internal crisis.
“Ebonyi APC stresses that urging aspirants to procure nomination forms or pursue political ambitions without the knowledge and endorsement of the Governor amounts to a direct affront to party discipline and an invitation to chaos. It warns that any such guidance undermines established leadership.
“While referencing the Minister’s claim that there was no directive from the President restricting aspirants from purchasing forms, the party cautions that this must not be misconstrued as a license for indiscipline or disregard for the state leadership structure.
The party also raises serious concerns about the intent and credibility of the statement, suggesting the possibility of misrepresentation by the Minister’s media handlers.
” It describes the tone and content as provocative and capable of fanning the embers of discord, particularly by creating the false impression of disunity between the President and the Governor.
“Ebonyi APC reiterates that all political activities within the state must be conducted strictly under the guidance and with the full endorsement of the Governor as the party leader in the state. Loyalty, discipline, and respect for constituted authority remain non-negotiable principles.
“Consequently, the party warns that any individual who allows themselves to be misled into acting contrary to the directives of the Governor does so at their own risk. Such actions will be deemed an exercise in futility and treated as a clear act of disloyalty to the party.
“The Ebonyi APC therefore calls on all stakeholders to refrain from actions and statements capable of plunging the party into unnecessary crisis, and instead act like elders or risk losing their pride of place”, the party stated.
Defending Umahi on his stand on the consensus arrangements of the APC for the party’s primaries, a group, Ebonyi Democratic Movement (EDC) urged APC to tender unreserved apology to Umahi within 24 hours or face the wrath of All Democrats across the state.
The group said it wouldn’t have kept quiet for actions that may be detrimental to the progress of APC in the state.
“The attention of Ebonyi Democratic Movement has been drawn to an inappropriate press statement credited to Ebonyi State Chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC).
“Ordinarily we wouldn’t have responded to the poorly crafted tissues of deceit meant to misinform the party faithful to gain public sympathy for actions that may be detrimental to the
progress of our beloved All Progressive Congress in Ebonyi State.
“We state that our Support for the re election of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu the pall bearer of Renewed Hope Agenda and the Governor of Ebonyi State,Rt Hon Francis Nwifuru ,the initiator of Ebonyi Charter of Needs is non negotiable and the both of them remain our sole candidates.
“That the statement credited to the Federal Minister of Works and Former Governor Of Ebonyi State, David Umahi where he appealed to the Governor of Ebonyi State to pursue dialogue towards achieving consensus candidates and where that fails direct primaries should be held was the best advice a leader of the status of the Federal Minister of Works who is not beclouded by personal gains could offer to his state that he sacrificed everything to rescue from authoritarian dictatorship by 2015.
“That the infrastructural revolution, party harmony and peace that lasted in Our dear State Ebonyi was as a result of internal party democracy entrenched in our policy since 2015 till date and wonders why the major beneficiaries of such transparent and participatory processes should kick against it for now.
That we warn the political hooligans fanning the embers of discord where none exist and those trying to create crisis between the Minister and His political Son,the Governor of Ebonyi State to desist from such satanic acts.
“That we urge the All Progressive Congress Ebonyi state chapter to tender unreserved apology to the Minister of Works within 24 hours for the vulgar language used against His Excellency in their so called press release or face the wrath of All Democrats across the state”, the statement signed by the group’s Chairman, Chief Igwe Emmanuel said.
