APC Chieftain disperses alleged rift between Umahi, Onu
By Joshua Elekwachi, Abuja.
A chieftain of the governing All Progressive Congress (APC), Prince Nwaeze Onu has refuted speculations of infights in the local structure of his party in Ebonyi state and alleged power tussle between the Honourable Minister Of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and Ebonyi state Governor, Engr. Dave Umahi.
Prince Onu, in a media Chat with selected journalists in Abuja described the rumour as false and unfounded saying it is the handiwork of Political jobbers that thrives in building discord and playing mind games.
According to him, the APC in Ebonyi state has become more United and strong since the Defection of the governor to the party. He maintained that the governor consulted all leaders of the party before his final stint to the party and has maintained that level of unity of purpose for the progress of the party.
Mr Onu, who was the 2019 Senatorial Candidate of APC for Ebonyi South revealed that both the Honourable Minister and Governor are brothers from same Community. He said the relationship between the two is that of a elder and younger brother and they both understand themselves as leaders giving that they have been strong allies in the defunct ANPP.
He called on members of the party to remain unflinching with their supports for the governor, Engr. Dave Umahi and disregard the commentary of impasse between the leaders which he authoritatively said does not exist.
Recall that the Governor last year defected from his former party, PDP to APC, a party upon which he was elected State Chairman, Deputy Governor and Governor over what he described as a fight against injustice by the party.
The governor has reasoned the PDP has no intention to zone its Presidential nomination to Southeast and thus moved with his Political family to APC. The Governor’s defection not welcomed by some leaders of the party has brought infights in the state chapter of the party dividing it into factions.
The Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu who was before the defection of the governor to the party was the Party’s leader in the state is said to be in silent fight with the governor over who controls its structure. Some say the minister was not consulted by the governor when his defection plans were cemented as he was not sighted close to venue of the defection ceremony which was attended by top leaders of APC to receive the governor to the party.
Dr Onu, too has not attended any state function organized by the state government to showcase his acceptance of the government of Governor Umahi as an APC government in the state. He is been accused of sponsoring legal action against the dissolved Executive Committee of the party by the NWC led by Mai Mala Buni.
With this clarification by Prince Nwaeze Onu it could be surmised the governor and his big brother, the Honourable Minister have a good working relationship.
