... insist On Governor’s Consensus Directive
By Dorcas Samson Achi
The APC leadership of Nkwerre Ward 7 in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State has unanimously rejected the imposition of Edward Eburuacha as ward councilor by one Bennett Nwokejiobi, a party member from another ward.
The leaders revealed this yesterday, 9th September, 2024 during a press conference where they faulted the two lists released by the party which contain names of councillorship and chairmanship candidates of the party for the forthcoming LGA elections, saying that the Nkwerre Ward 7 councillorship candidate in the list was not part of the concensus arrangement made by the ward.
Speaking to the press, Hon. Ugochukwu Nzekwe, a stakeholder and pioneer leader of the party in the ward who was also a former House Member for Nkwerre Constituency, revealed that there was a mock primary conducted in Owerri by Bennett Nwokejiobi from Ward 6 which produced Edward Eburuacha as APC councillorship candidate even before governor’s instruction on concensus was given, adding that the leaders of the party were not part of the primaries.
Nzekwe stated that is it unacceptable for a person from a different ward to use his privileged position or money to impose an aspirant who did not participate in the entire concensus process, stressing that is it a slap on the integrity of the party and an insult to the party leaders who have invested heavily on the party since its creation.
According to the President of Former Members Imo state House of Assembly (FOMIHA), he is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that truth, justice and fairness prevail in the party as a committed party leader who has made remarkable sacrifices and laudable contributions to the growth and sustainability of the party both at the ward, LGA and state level.
He highlighted some of the sacrifices and indelible marks he has made in his defence of the party at different levels which cost him fortunes, saying that his interest is preserving the integrity of the party by correcting some ills for the sake of posterity.
His words, “Someone from another ward has no right to influence the list of our ward. We have to get it right. We cannot keep quiet. We are appealing to party leaders not to allow moneybags to dictate what happens in our party “
“Our party leaders especially the party chairman should not allow individuals to creat problem for our party because they think they have personal relationship with the governor. The governor never said moneybags should appoint a councillor for us. Why should someone use his influence to impose a candidate for us?.
“APC is known for her respect for democratic processes and principles. We must protect and preserve the integrity of the party. What is happening is not something that will encourage people to join and work for the party. How can people who have invested a lot for the party be sidelined because of people’s selfish interests?.
“Our leaders should look into Nkwerre ward 7 again and make appropriate corrections. Money politics may look good but integrity of the party and people’s confidence in the party cannot be bought with money. Truth must be embraced for the party’s survival. My interest is to protect the integrity of this party.
“Our governor is a democrat. People should not use his name to create certain problems or make people feel they can dictate what goes on in the party because they have a relationship with him. We must work together to protect the name of this party.
“Edward Eburuacha never participated in the concensus process, hence cannot be our concensus choice. If the party wants they can allow our ward to organize another concensus process where everyone can come together and choose a candidate.”
The ward leaders unanimously demanded the party leaders to review the list, taking cognizance of the governor’s directive for the party to embrace concensus, citing the APC constitution on elections and appointments in page 74 article 20, which states clearly that for a candidate to emerge through concensus, there must be a vote of yes by voice or ballot.
The ward leaders who briefed the press were Hon. Chinenye Maduakolam, former Special Adviser to the governor on food vendor, Hon. Ndubuisi Osunkwo, a critical stakeholder of the party and renowned humanitarian, Hon. Boniface Oguoge, the Acting Chairman of APC Nkwerre, Aluwa Onyemaechi, former chairman of the party in Nkwerre, Ikechukwu Ajaegbu, Mac-Aneleh Tochukwu, Ward 7 Councillorship Aspirant and Mrs. Chukwukere Josephine, Woman leader Nkwerre Ward 7.
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