Enugu 2019: Nnamani not to Blame for APC’s woes

Instead of abating, the spate of crises rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) Enugu chapter has continued to fester, even as elections draw closer.

It has to do with the manner its candidates emerged. They came from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where they had become unpopular and lost out, only to cross to the APC, where they hijacked the party from the foundation members.

Using the factional state exco-led by Dr. Ben Nwoye, it is obvious that there would be more troubles in the party in the days ahead. These troubles are gradually manifesting and those responsible are crying foul.

Recently, two campaign buses of a factional APC guber candidate in the state, Bar. George Ogara were burnt in front of his campaign office in Enugu.

Accusing fingers were pointed at the other faction. Till date, no one has denied or accept responsibility for the crime.

In this situation, one cannot say that silence is golden. Thus, this ugly development is a clear indication of disunity and confusion in the party.

Having discovered that founding members had left their camp, it has now dawned on the Ben Nwoye faction that its candidates for the elections are without people’s support.

It recently accused Senator Ken Nnamani of anti-party activities, just for attending a function in his village, where he acknowledged and praised the good works of Enugu Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

This shows a lack of understanding that good governance cannot be sacrificed on the altar of partisan politics.

We must not forget that Nnamani before joining APC was and remains a major stakeholder in Enugu State. He is not a wait-and-take politician or leader, who shies away from saying the truth.

Nnamani has made a name in public office and has always shown patriotism in the affairs of his state and the country, irrespective of his political leaning. He is a strong advocate of good governance and peace.

That is even the reason the APC leadership and the Presidency received him with open arms when he joined the party and was given a prominent role in their 2019 presidential campaign. The party knows his leadership worth and has recognized him accordingly.

So, nobody can needlessly taint Nnamani’s hard-earned reputation, by levelling unsubstantiated allegation against his personality.

If Nwoye alleges that Nnamani’s comment on Governor Ugwuanyi’s sterling performance in office amounts to anti-party behaviour, what will he say about President Muhammadu Buhari riding in the same car with Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal recently in Sokoto when Buhari paid condolence visit to late ex-president Shehu Shagari’s family, after Tambuwal had not only defected from APC to PDP, he had strongly criticised Buhari’s government.

In Ogun State, the outgoing governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who is a strong member of APC is backing an opposition party’s candidate to succeed him.

This was after he lost out in APC governorship power struggle in the state.

The same thing is happening in Imo State, where the outgoing governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, who is a senatorial candidate of APC is backing his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu in another party.

This did not stop the APC leadership and the Presidency from including Okorocha’s wife in the APC Presidential Campaign Council. Examples are endless and it is clear that Nigeria has passed the era of primordial and primitive politics.

Nwoye’s outburst is nothing, but expression of phobia, having realised that defeat awaits APC in the forthcoming elections in the state, especially in the governorship.

It is quite unfortunate that Nwoye’s faction allowed undertakers and impostors to rubbish the gains made in the party over the years by handing them the party tickets at ease.

What should be of worry to Nwoye is that as the elections draw close, APC campaign activities are at their lowest.

This is because aggrieved party faithful are avoiding the candidates, as they are not popular. Some party members are of the opinion that the election in the state is PDP versus PDP as the foundation members of APC are now spectators in the game. That is the true position of thing in Enugu APC.

So for someone who compromised the party’s fortunes in the state for selfish interests, there is no justification transferring aggression on Nnamani.

After all, Nnamani and other APC chieftains had warned against handing the party’s tickets to impostors and unpopular people, who defected to the party few days to the primaries. But the likes of food-is-ready politicians never listened.

It is so sad that apart from not being popular, majority of APC candidates in the state have no financial wherewithal to bankroll their campaigns and elections.

Not even party members or public-spirited individuals are willing to risk their hard earned resources to support them, knowing full well that they are not popular.

• Agboeze, APC Chieftain wrote from Abakpa Nike, Enugu