The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Anambra State has accused the member representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone at the National Assembly, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of All Progressives Congress (APC) of playing to the gallery, hitting up the polity and causing distractions to the governance of the state.
The party’s remarks followed Ubah’s the recent outbursts against the state governor, Prof Charles Soludo, where he, among other things, expressed disappointment that the government of Soludo had not shown the capacity and capability to bring economic growth to Anambra State.
Ubah had also added that the general outcry in the state was that the APGA government had failed, hence he needed to succeed Charles Soludo of APGA to bring in a direction-driven leadership.
But, speaking to newsmen in Enugu, where he came for consultations with stakeholders of his party, the Anambra state Chairman of PDP, Chief Chigozie Igwe insisted that Ubah’s attacks on Soludo and statements suggesting his interest to replace him as governor was ill-timed and unwarranted.
Igwe said, “Ubah is only playing to the gallery and unnecessarily heating up the polity. Soludo is not yet up to two years in office and so his performance cannot be roundly assessed at this time. Although he is not doing well at the moment, he could make amends within the remaining years and perform better. It is when he fails to do better that one can begin to proffer alternatives. The opposition can only help the people to improve governance at early stages of the regime by providing platforms for constructive criticisms which will help a proactive government in self evaluation. That is not what Ubah is currently doing”.
Going further, Igwe said, ‘Where did Ubah derive the power to declare himself candidate of APC when party primaries have not been conducted? He only joined the party a couple of weeks ago and immediately started conducting himself in a queer manner suggesting that he had the APC ticket in his pocket, neglecting many stakeholders who laboured over the years to sustain the party.
“His grandstanding is actually a big insult to major stakeholders of the party like Dr Andy Uba, a two time Senator, Dr Chris Ngige, an ex governor, ex Senator as well as former Federal Minister, Dr George Muoghalu, an ex National Auditor of the Party including Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo and Chidozie Nwankwo among others.
“That is not how party politics is designed to work. A serious political party is not supposed to be personalized by an individual. It is inimical to the sustenance of democratic norms”.
Igwe also queried the basis for the Senator’s quest to be governor of Anambra state when according to him, Ubah’s performance at the Upper Chamber has been woeful.
Igwe said, “I would have ignored the Senator but for the fact that he represents my Senatorial Zone at the Upper Chamber where he has virtually wasted five years of his two-term tenure of eight years with very poor showing. It has been five years of claims and propaganda with no visible infrastructure of value or meaningful project that can be tagged to him. I expected that he should rather desire to work harder at the Senate in order to reverse his disastrous performance before his tenure elapses because he has no business in Agu-Awka”.
On the current state of Anambra PDP, Igwe said, “We are re-modeling and re-building the PDP in Anambra State. Unlike other political parties in Nigeria, PDP is anchored on very robust democratic foundation that enables it to absorb shocks, making it possible for the party to quickly bounce back whenever it is faced with challenges. So we are putting the right things in place and consulting very widely in the process inorder to carry everybody along. We assure the people of Anambra State that PDP shall provide that credible alternative that they so desire to make life meaningful for all”.
On his on-going consultation activities, Igwe said, “the build-up activities promised by our new Exco has gone underway and is gathering momentum. Last week, we were at the thanksgiving event of the former Federal House member for Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Hon. Chu-Chu Onyema, which took place in Ogbaru and I took time to see and interact with stakeholders and members of the party in Ogbaru local government area where I commended the party faithful who trouped out in numbers, for keeping faith with the party. I have special admiration for our leaders in Ogbaru and specifically for Hon. Chu-Chu Onyema, for his tenacity and resilience even in the face of adversity. Onyema is an inspirational leader who has consistently made sacrifices over time to help build and maintain our party. He is a strong rallying force for PDP, not only in Ogbaru but Anambra state and beyond. I was happy at the turn – out and rekindled vigor of our party men and women. I urged them to remain faithful, hopeful and focused on the on going rebuilding process as there is light at end of the tunnel’. Igwe went on to announce that the local government tour of his consultation team will continue with Aguata on Friday.
