Before APC factions burn down Enugu State
The attention of Youth
Coalition for Peace and Good Governance, Enugu State, has been drawn
with utter dismay to the unfortunate series of internal strife in the
Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ever since
Senator Ayogu Eze joined the party.
As an advocacy group for the
promotion of peace and good governance in Enugu State, we are concerned
about the ugly shape of this internal fracas between Deacon Okey Ogbodo
faction, which has Barr George Tagbo Ogara as its governorship
candidate, and Barr Ben Nwoye faction that is backing Senator Eze as its
candidate. We are also perturbed by the inherent consequences of these
utterances on the existing peace in Enugu State vis-à-vis the
forthcoming general election in 2019.
It is on record that the
crises between the two factions of the APC degenerated the moment Sen.
Eze joined the party for the sole purpose of clinching its governorship
ticket obviously to pursue his personal interest and to advance his
divisive tendencies on the party and the people of Nsukka zone.
We
recall with consternation the deadly and shameful fracas that ensued
between the two factions at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport,
Enugu, the very first day Sen. Eze returned to the state after over
three years on self-exile.
Shortly before the show of shame at
the airport, the two factions had displayed a similar act at the APC
Secretariat in Enugu, which would have endangered the peace of the state
if not for the swift intervention of the security agencies.
Our
group, just like the overwhelming majority of the people of Enugu State,
were equally worried that this disgraceful act of the APC factions was
also heavily felt during the state party congress to elect its
governorship candidate, which was marred by intense violence and is
currently under litigation with regards to the authentic governorship
candidate of the party.
A few days ago, there was renewed
apprehension in Enugu, over the recent attack on Barr. Ogara’s
governorship campaign headquarters, which led to the destruction of two
buses with both factions accusing each other of being responsible for
the heinous act.
Today, there was news that the party’s campaign
vehicle branded with Sen. Eze’s picture was burnt in Enugu. Although the
Enugu State Police Command, through the Public Relations Officer, CSP
Ebere Amarizu had alleged that it was a fire outbreak incident, the
truth remains that the APC in Enugu State should not disrupt the peace
the good people of Enugu State have been enjoying. The two factions
should embrace reconciliation and desist from overheating the polity for
selfish reasons.
As we go into electioneering proper, the Enugu
Youth Coalition for Peace and Good Governance would be glad to see the
two factions of the APC embrace each other to maintain the tempo of
peace, security and good governance in the state, in order to guarantee
peaceful, free, fair and credible general election in 2019, which we
passionately stand for.
Signed:
Hon. Ikechukwu Ibeh (Coordinator)
Engr. Jude Onyema (Secretary)
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