Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State government and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday debunked media reports credited to the state Governor, David Umahi that he was the only governor that belongs to the party and ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the same time.
They described the report as not only misleading but a mischievous representation of the Governor’s comment.
The Governor, elected under the PDP was quoted in the media to have told a delegation that paid him a Yuletide Homage that he is the only person that can engage in anti-party activities and nothing will happen.
But giving clarifications on what the Governor actually said, the Mr Orji noted that the Governor cautioned those who were in the habit of defecting from one political to another, to also know that he has friends and goodwill across political divides.
He also said that those who hide under partisan politics to peddle lies against the State government should know that even the APC members know the giant strides and virtues of his administration.
Orji added that the Governor’s style of governance was that of inclusive politics where partisan politics comes and goes but National interest and patriotism were the uncompromising principles of his administration.
“In their desperate attempt to cause disaffection against the State Government, they mischievously misrepresented the Governor as saying: ‘I am the only Governor that belongs to PDP and APC.’
“This blackmail is nothing but a cheap and childish fabrication that is irritably displeasing to the sensibilities of the ordinary man. It is a common sense that no one party member in Nigeria can belong to another political party at a time.
“The Governor never said that he belongs to APC. He is unshakably a PDP Chieftain and has been a great party man, whose trackrecords as historic State Party Chairman and currently PDP Governor and leader in Ebonyi State are known and admired by people of goodwill”.
“He only said that those who are in the habit of hiding under partisan politics to peddle lies against the State Government were on a frolic of their own as people of different political colourations including APC know the virtues of his administration”.
“It must be noted that the Governor’s style of governance is that of inclusive politics where partisan politics comes and goes but National interest and patriotism are the uncompromising principles of his administration”.
“The essence of this disclaimer is to put the records straight for the information and right knowledge of the members of the public,” Orji said.
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the report as a blatant falsehood
The Chairman of the party in Ebonyi State,Mr. Onyekachi Nwebonyi, in a statement issued on Tuesday, dismissed the claim, saying Umahi is still a bonafide member of the party.
He said the governor does not involve himself in anti-party activities.
Read Also; I also belong to APC, says PDP Governor Umahi
“The story is a blatant falsehood aimed at tarnishing the image of the governor and as well derailing him from his focus.”, he said.
Nwebonyi said Umahi is focused on developing Ebonyi State and completing the numerous gigantic projects the government is handling.
“It is mischievous to twist comments made by the leader in order to curry favour and deceive the general public.
“The governor has severally admonished politicians to be 100 percent dedicated to whichever political party they belonged to.
“He had said that if he is in APC, he would be 100 percent there and not playing double standard or jumping here and there every time.
“There is however no way he could turn back to say that he is in APC when he advises PDP members not to romance with the APC. He has severally threatened severe consequences for those who are caught in anti-party activities. Such a person cannot turn overnight to do that what he cautions others against.”, Nwebonyi said.
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