Tunji Adedeji
There was palpable tension and confusion for several hours on Saturday in Owerri, Imo State capital as the ward congress of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) took-off in most of the wards visited by Trumpeta.
By mid-day, the APC stakeholders , the estranged group within the party comprising a serving Senator, Benjamin Uwajumogu, representing Okigwe zone Senate ,Imo Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere ,Senator Ifeanyi Ararume ,Sir. Jude Ejiogu, Dr TOE Ekechi and so many others at the federal and state levels claimed victory insisting that the exercise took place.
Trumpeta gathered that last Saturday when the congress was supposed to hold at various wards, political thugs chased away politicians from the stakeholders’ meeting called by the Imo state APC Chairman Chief Hillary Eke at the party Secretariat, Okigwe road.
While Gov Okorocha claimed that there was no congress in the state, the state Chairman of APC, Hillary Eke has however, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the ward congress of the party held across the state.
Chief Eke who also said their members statewide conducted themselves peacefully throughout the exercise, adding that “the results are being collected.
His word,” History was made today as all state executives, 27 LGA chairmen & all ward chairmen and the executives of the All Progressive Congress, APC endorsed the Ward Congress conducted in the state yesterday.”
Speaking at a news conference, the state chairman, Chief Hillary Ekeh said, “we thank God for the emergence of APC executives, we are here today to tell the world and Imolites that the Congress was successful, hitch free, free and fair without problems”.
Adding their voices, the state organizing secretary, Chairman of LGA chairmen and chairman of ward chairmen all concurred in unison asserting that the Congress was conducted in-line with the party constitution and in all 305 wards of the state without obstacles.
Some party Chieftains present said Governor Rochas Okorocha is now alone in his fight against the Congress and party and said they will resist any attempt to thwart the will of the party members expressed at the Congress no matter where it is coming from. They said the Imo state Governor is desperate and alone in his fight as the entire party structures, leadership and stakeholders are not with him.
Senator Benjamin Uwajumuogu, Senator representing Okigwe zone in the Senate also Secretary of APC Congress committee while fielding questions from Journalists earlier at Full Moon hotel, Owerri said the APC Ward Congress was successful and peaceful too.
Senator Benjamin Uwajumuogu accused the state governor Rochas Okorocha and chief of staff Uche Nwosu of hijacking the People that supposed to conduct the Ward Congress. He said the Chief of Staff sent thugs to disorganize the meeting of the APC stakeholders held after the primary election.
While Senator Uwajumuogu made it clear that there is no cause for alarm. He stated that the list of the Ward Congress will be made public and call on party faithfuls to remain loyal and dedicated to move the party forward.
Engineer Nwabueze Oguchienti, Imo State Publicity Secretary in a press release made available to Trumpeter said the Ward Congress of All Progressive Congress, APC, Imo State was conducted and concluded successfully and peacefully on Saturday, May 5, 2018 in the 305 wards of the State.
According to him, the party salutes the commitment, passion, dedication and above all, the peaceful and diligent comportment of our party members during the congress. The party is also grateful to the maturity and candour of the Ward Congress Committee who remained unwearied and focused in spite of the desperate efforts of the State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to hijack the committee through blackmail, intimidation and groundswell financial inducement.”
We re-affirm our unalloyed loyalty to the National Working Committee and state leadership of the party. We can now assure Nigerians that Imo APC is more than ever before poised to demonstrate that APC in Imo State and indeed in the South East is a popular party which in the past has been misconstrued due to the antecedents of one man. “
