The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State and the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate’s campaign organisation, AnyiGaemeya Movement, have disagreed over alleged overtures by the APC state chairman, Chief Stanley Emegha, to Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii.
Reacting to a statement credited to the spokesman of the PDP governorship candidate’s campaign organisation, Mr Moses Idika, special assistant on Media and Publicity to the APC chairman, Mr Chijioke Agwu maintained that the achievements of the governor were responsible for the mass defections from the opposition parties into the ruling APC.
Mr Emegha had while receiving defectors from the PDP said that he had been in talks with many leaders of the opposition parties in the state.
‘The APC chairman was therefore surprised to see how Mr Idika carefully avoided the issue of defection and attempted to twist the innocent comment just to score some political points.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Chief Stanley Emegha is well-known for his relentless zeal and propensity to woo opposition leaders and members into the APC.
“An action which has produced undeniable positive results in the fortunes of the party to the chagrin of the opposition in the state.
“Mr Idika should know that he is just a mere supporter and follower of Chief Ifeanyi Odii, and so, will not always be privy to many of his high-profile political engagements especially one that has to do with other political parties.
“Chief Emegha will continue to reach out to all the leaders of the state, especially those in the opposition flank, to join the ruling party for the overall interest of peace, unity and development of Ebonyi State,” the APC said.
But in a swift reaction, Mr Idika said that the first and only time Chief Emegha ever had an audience with Chief Odii was when he (Emegha) accompanied Governor Nwifuru on a visit to Chief Odii at his Lagos residence.
“At the meeting, Governor Nwifuru had a heart-to-heart talk with Chief Odii. At that meeting, certain thorny issues were discussed and propositions made. However, Chief Odii, despite keeping his words, never heard from Governor Nwifuru or his team ever again.
“We, therefore, urge Chief Emegha, as a public official, to always restrict his public conversations and utterances to actual verifiable facts for the sake of people who look up to him as a leader.
“Chief Odii remains a proud Ebonyian who strongly believes in the infinite possibilities of greatness for the people of Ebonyi State.
“Chief Odii’s commitment to the progress of Ebonyi State is beyond partisan politics. Chief Odii remains committed to an Ebonyi State where the economy is driven by a strong industrial base which explores the rich mineral and agricultural resources in the state,” he said.