A faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu State, led by Deacon Okey Ogbodo has come hard on the national chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole over the suspension of the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mr. Osita Okechukwu.
The party cautioned Oshiomhole against turning himself into a totalitarian leader.
It could be recalled that the APC NWC had last week announced the suspension of Okechukwu, alongside governors Rochas Okorocha and Ibikunke Amosun.
Reacting on Thursday, Ogbodo said it was strange and embarrassing “to read the news of the purported suspension of founding member of our Party, and committed Party man, Mr Osita Okechukwu.”
Ogbodo said it was Mr. Okechukwu and a few others who had devoted personal resources to nurture APC in Enugu State when there was hardly any support from the centre.
He said “Okechukwu’s purported suspension obviously has nothing to do with events in our Enugu home State Chapter, and does not merit or have our support, implicit or otherwise.
“It would appear the National Chairman has something against Enugu State and its people, otherwise, why seek to disable a very strong pillar of the APC at this time?
“The only political campaign ran in this State for Presidential and National Assembly elections which held in Enugu State on February 23 was one we had with Mr. Okechukwu, the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs and then the State Executive Committee which I lead. Okechukwu is on record to have placed adverts and jingles serially in radio and television.
“Assuming, without conceding, that he had indeed engaged in any anti-Party activities as alleged, did he get any fair hearing? Suspending a very active Party stalwart few days to a crucial election, in whose interest is it?”
He added that “the reason for the purported disciplinary action against Mr. Okechukwu must be personal and, I dare say, it is untenable, ill-conceived and ultimately ill-timed, coming barely a week to the gubernatorial and State Assembly elections.
We cannot afford to put up with Okechukwu’s suspension and indeed several other unhelpful actions from the National Secretariat, in order not to jeopardize our collective future, and in the immediate aftermath, derail our plans for the impending State Assembly elections, particularly in our dear State of Enugu where we have held out a credible candidate, Barrister George Tagbo Ogara, as the only viable alternative to what obtains there now.
“The constitution of our great Party does not envisage or allow the position of the National Chairman to be totalitarian. We should all unite as co-founders and equal joiners to save our common heritage; otherwise our present preeminent position could be lost to the opposition.
Okechukwu’s suspension must be lifted immediately so that we can continue with the programme we have collectively put in motion to ensure a good outing come Saturday, March 9, 2019.”
