By Chijindu Emeruwa.
A pro-group in the fold of Abia state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nzuko Ndi APC, on Saturday, described the recent court judgement which affirmed the immediate past Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, as All Progressives Congress authentic gubernatorial candidate in Abia state for the 2023 general elections, as clear affirmation of the confidence, as a pointer to the widely-held views that the foremost Abia industrialist enjoys popular supports bands, than other candidates of other political parties seeking to be elected into office of the Governor of Abia state in the fast-approaching main elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC)
This latest statement by civil orgainzation came on the backdrops of its analytical assessments and position on the recent verdict of an Abuja high court on legal tussle over the Abia 2023 gubernatorial seat ticket of the All Progressives Congress.
The statement was signed by the Chairman of the group, Chief Chukwuma Nwankwo and the Group Secretary General, Mazi Udochukwu Emereuwa, issued to newsmen in Umuahia on Sunday.
Recall that the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, had in May 26, 2022 conducted a parallel primary elections in Abia state which saw the emergence of Ogah and Emenike as Governorship candidates in Abia State for the 2023 main elections respectively.
In total defiance of the outcries and outbursts by majority of party leaders, critical stakeholders, teeming members and supporters, against outcome of the conducted parallel gubernatorial primaries which took place at different locations in Abia state, the leadership of the APC submitted the names and details of Mr Ikechi Emenike as APC gubernatorial Candidate in Abia state, to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Against this backdrops, Ogah however approached the court to challenge Mr Ikechi Emenike’s eligibility and nomination as the APC Governorship candidate in Abia state by the leadership of the All Progressives Congress.
In Nov 11 2022, federal high court presided by Justice Binta Murtala-Nyako in Abuja, sacked Mr Ikechi Emenike, and affirmed ex-minister of the federal republic of Nigeria, Dr Uche Ogah as the authentic APC gubernatorial candidate in Abia state for the 2023 general elections
However, while earlier admonishing Emenike to accept defeat on the court decision, Nzuko Ndi-APC applauded judiciary arm of government in the country for saving opposition APC from total extinction and oblivion in Abia political landscape, adding that court affirmation on Ogah’s gubernatorial candidacy has positioned the party to form next government in 2023 in Abia state and provide the needed democratic dividends to every doorsteps of Abia people.
The APC umbrella body advised the factional Abia leader of the party, Mr Ikechi Emenike to accept the outcome of legal tussle in the interest of the party and timeframe so as to enable APC strengthen consolidate on its plannings and strategies and win the coming 2023 general elections in the state.
“What the court said was a true reflection of the opinions and support demonstrated by the majority of party members across the electoral wards, local government areas and the state at large during the concluded APC gubernatorial primaries which took place in Umuahia on 26th of May, 2022.
“It is a clear affirmation of the enormous and untradable supports of party members and entire people of Abia state Dr Ogah enjoys, because he has demonstrated uncommon capacity in every important spheres of the state and national leadership and politics. You can also see the applause, jubilation and the smiles in people’s face when the news of the court judgement broke out. So, we would want to use this medium to call on Ikechi Emenike to accept the verdict of the people delivered through the court.
“You could equally recall, before now that most of our party members left the APC for other political parties, due to the obivious illegalities aided and abetted by some party officers at state and national levels of the APC before, during and after the concluded primary elections, but you can see that this court verdict has restored people’s confidence in APC and Nigeria judiciary arm.
“Hundreds of our party leaders and members who earlier left for other parties are returning to this great party, AOC in large trains and numbers. Because, they see in Uche Ogah, an economically and Infrastructurally sound, stable and workable Abia state.
Continuing, Nzuko Ndi-APC commended quintessential and ebullient gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Dr Uche Ogah for display of genuine and uncommon courage in pursue of prevailing justice to logical conclusion, tasking the party gubernatorial candidate in the state to take the lead in galvanizing all interests, including appointment of Mr Ikechi Emenike in composition of the Abia 2023 APC Governorship Campaign council which shall be constituted soon, so as to ensure APC go into the coming general elections and achieved victory, as one united family.
The group of APC faithfuls in Abia state who further appreciated the immerse contributions, uncommon and unique roles played by Ogah in fostering and enhancing developments in every facets of economy of the state, and further noted that Ogah had invested over N500 billion in the efforts to industrialize the state, and called on Abia electorates to remain unwavering and steadfast in their support to Uche Ogah and urged them to cast their votes for the APC governorship candidate and all other candidates of the party vying for various political offices in in the forthcoming general elections in Abia state.
