Former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has called for caution in the handling of internal party concerns, stressing that resorting to blame game, name-calling and unsubstantiated allegations was utterly unnecessary and could breed deeper acrimony and chaos.
Eze who made the call while reacting to a press statement titled “Ebonyi APC slams Umahi,” credited to the Assistant Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Arum Kenechukwu, wherein the Minister of Works was accused of making remarks capable of breeding distrust and internal party wrangling, said, Dave Umahi has done no wrong in bringing to the public his opinion on the subject which he described as statement of fact, noting that he read the press statement from the party with misgiving and wondered what warranted such outburst on a fellow who is the soul of the party in the State.
He said though he no longer belong to the APC but given his position as a respected Elder from the State, he cannot stand aloof and allow the person and personality of Senator David Nweze Umahi whose impact in building the modern state of Ebonyi to be disparaged by a party he sacrificed so much in installing.
The statement from the APC Assistant Publicity Secretary reads “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 noted that the publication titled; “UMAHI RESTATES SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT TINUBU, NWIFURU, URGES CONSENSUS OR DIRECT PRIMARIES FOR PARTY UNITY IN EBONYI” 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.
It stressed 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 warned that any such guidance undermines established leadership.
“According to the Minister of Works, “…He, however, stressed the importance of internal democracy and peaceful engagement among party members, encouraging the governor to lead a process that prioritizes consensus where possible.
“Dialogue and negotiation should be adopted by the governor as to possibly reach consensus among all aspirants, and where consensus is not reached, then direct primaries must take place,” he added.
Umahi made it clear that his political loyalty remains firmly with both the President and the Governor and not on any individual.
“I have no interest in any aspirant other than my support for governor and president. Consensus is only among aspirants supervised by the leader of the party, the governor,” he said.
Emphasizing the need for unity, the Minister noted that the strength of the APC lies in its collective effort and shared sacrifices over the years.
“This position is to keep the party we have suffered to build together and ensure that we are united to make big votes for all our candidates, especially the President and Governor. No one person can do this alone. We need one another,” Umahi concluded.”
Eze said having gone through the statement from the Minister, one wonders where and how the Minister erred in advocating for internal democracy within the party to warrant such an attack from the APC in Ebonyi State
Describing Umahi as a foresighted political leader, Eze highlighted that the National leadership of APC have affirmed his position by adopting Direct Primaries Nationwide, ruling out consensus candidates for all her aspirants
He quoted APC as stating, “In a formal notification to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and party members nationwide, the APC leadership made it clear that there will be no room for consensus candidacy, emphasizing a commitment to transparency and internal democracy.”
He called on Governor Nwifuru not only to call the leadership of APC to order but also caution them to cease from any indulgence that abuses or insults the person of Senator David Nwaze Umahi as such an attack may not be tolerated anymore.
Eze maintained that Senator Umahi doesn’t deserve any insult or abuse from Ebonyi APC or anybody talk less by people he nurtured into political power no matter the odds.
