The leadership tussle among chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South East resonated at the party’s June 14 National Convention in Abuja. Senator JULIUS UCHA, former Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, tells Special Correspondent, IDU JUDE, the issues at stake and his reasons for insisting that the zone is not marginalised in the party…
Protest by South East delegates at Abuja convention of APC
That was because the people saw that some people were about to steal their mandate and trample on their rights. It was an issue of fundamental human rights. They asked those in the position of the accreditation materials meant for Abia and Ebonyi states to produce them, and the request was simple. I believe they had the right because they were the genuinely elected executives from my state.
Involvement on all the issue
I had no time joining issues with whoever was involved because I think I have so many other things to do to develop my state than talking with people that do not want the progress of the region. They felt that that was an avenue to put in place their men in readiness for the general election in the states. They wanted to buy the votes.
Senator Chris Ngige, Governor Rochas Okorocha and Ogbonnaya Onu fingered
These men were involved in the committee for the South East accreditation of delegates. From what I know back in the South East, things have not been well, politically, since the last state executive elections, where the election did not go the way of those fingered in the whole mess. So, party politics has been played from one dimension to another which reared its ugly head at the convention ground.
Supporters turning violent
It is not true. I was not there; I only heard that there was mix-up. But when I asked some of my aides, I got the information I needed. I can tell you that people were misinformed of what went on there.
The two groups made their grievances known to the people. But initially, they were not taken seriously. Perhaps, those in possession of the materials thought they would just make noise, and the security men would drive them away. But the people persisted and kept on pressing for their demands. So, that attracted attention of the organisers. I believe that without that, the people would not have listened to them. The truth is that no one was beaten by them. They only prevented them from working by blocking the gates. With the police and law enforcement agents in place, how could they have manhandled an official? It never happened. That is another smart way of the elements.
We should not misplace issues when people fight for their rights. Those two groups came from two South Eastern states with similar case that nobody initially wanted to give ear to. Their case had certain similarity in people trying to compromise their people.
What ignited the noise by the groups was that while the issue of location of their accreditation was being talked about, it was heard that some people had been smuggled into the Eagle Square venue for the convention and were occupying the positions meant for Ebonyi and Abia states.
Finding out how unaccredited delegates were smuggled into convention ground
I did not, immediately; but from what I know as a member of the party, I was aware of the pranks played by some people. But they (pranks) did not materialise because those that were duly elected stood their ground in pressing for justice, and their voices were heard at last.
Fate of intruders
Some arrests were made by the police who then whisked them from the crowd. I think they got more than they bargained for. But what I cannot say is at what point they were yet. They had confessed to the police that they were asked by some people to occupy the seats.
The two states finally got their accreditation
Yes, and that was after a long struggle. The accreditation was given to them about 5pm. while other states got theirs by 8am in the morning. We just believe that things should not continue like this anymore because the world is watching.
Recommendation on those fingered in the mess
The party should sanction them because they are not capable of leading the party at the national or state levels. If we should suffer this in the beginning, what then happens when they become governors or senators representing the people? The South East has been sold already, but we will not allow that because we are going to carry our campaign to other states, to stop them. South East is not for sale.
Interest in the saga
This is my party and I have to defend its cause. Also, Ebonyi is my state and South East is my region. What I am saying is that the law should catch up with those who were behind these because some people are in no way good enough to lead others in a particular region. The accreditation of the South East was given to them because the party trusted them as heavy weights from the region, but they messed it up; hence the protest at the convention secretariat. That is what we are talking about on who is capable of leading Nigeria to the promise land.
South East marginalisation in APC NWC
I don’t think so. We were not cheated because there were other positions zoned to the South East for the national election. Things were done accordingly. Don’t forget that the general election is coming. The Presidency, the Vice Presidency, the Senate Presidency, the House of Representatives Speakership, etc. are there. The party knows what it is doing. When we get to the bridge, we cross it. But I assure you that the South East is not a region that can be rejected.
Eye on Ebonyi Government House
That is an ideal for my people. Their demand is my wish as far as I am concerned. Without their opinion, you are going nowhere. So, let us wait and see.
