The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Imo state, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho has accused Mr. Okey Ezeh whom he roundly defeated in the governorship primary election of being sponsored by some external forces to destabilize the party ahead of 2015 general elections.
In a statement signed on his behalf by the Director-General of Captain Iheanacho Campaign Organization (CICO), Dr. Anthony Ihedoro which was made available to journalists in Owerri, the former minister of Interior described APGA under the leadership of Sir Victor Umeh and Barr. Peter Ezeobi at the national and state levels respectively as one united political family that remains committed to reclaim its mandate in Imo state come 2015.
The APGA governorship hopeful, however, described the report of his purported suspension as a hoax and part of the orchestrated plot by those external forces who have found Ezeh a willing tool to execute their failed bid to weaken and deny the party victory in 2015.
Iheanacho added that having won the primaries and the symbolic APGA flag duly presented to him as Imo candidate at the recently concluded APGA Special Convention held at Awka, Anambra state, the issue of the governorship candidacy in Imo APGA remains foreclosed as anyone parading himself as the candidate is merely committing impersonation and shall definitely face the consequences of the law.
“The attention of Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho and his esteemed supporters has been drawn to sponsored newspaper reports which purportedly suspended the former Interior minister and now Imo state gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) from the party by one Prince C.C Nwaka.
“For the avoidance of doubt, APGA as a party remains one united political family which its activities are constitutionally steered by Sir Victor Umeh and Barr. Peter Ezeobi at the national and state levels respectively. It is this leadership structure that has been and presently recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant stakeholders and agencies.
“It is a fact that the party’s gubernatorial candidate, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho and two other contestants namely; Mr. Okey Ezeh and Maxi Okechukwu Unegbu duly obtained their nomination forms from Sir Umeh and Ezeobi-led executives.nAfter undergoing screening and subsequently cleared by the national executive at Abuja, the three contestants returned to Imo state and participated in the governorship primary election conducted by Barr. Ezeobi-led executive which clearly produced Capt. Iheanacho as the winner. The primary election was free, fair and transparent and was conducted under the strict supervision of a team of INEC officials and security agencies including the Police and SSS,” the statement read in part.
The statement further added that the party submitted Capt. Iheanacho’s name to INEC as the duly nominated APGA gubernatorial candidate in Imo state. Capt. Iheanacho’s candidacy and authenticated a few days ago during the party’s national convention at Awka, Anambra state when the national chairman, Sir Victor Umeh officially presented him with APGA flag to symbolically unveil him as the party’s governorship candidate in Imo state.
“It is therefore irresponsible of Mr. Okey Ezeh whom the party had already suspended for anti-party activities and Prince C. C Nwaka to resort to unwarranted, unwholesome and sinister machinations to destabilize the party. This latest ranting and desperation by Mr. Ezeh have again given credence to the suspicion that he was planted by some external forces to cause problems and probably deny APGA the chances of reclaiming its mandate in 2015.
“We therefore urge Imolites to disregard those malicious, misleading and false reports as APGA in Imo state under Barr. Ezeobi remains united and focused in its avowed commitment to enthrone a visionary and responsible government in Imo state come 2015. There is no gainsaying that Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, the APGA gubernatorial candidate remains the best material for the governorship position having demonstrated enormous capacity and competence in the private and public sector before declaring interest for the state plum job”.
