Is it burst for Ebonyi opposition?

BY PETER OKUTU

The momentum raised by the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP ahead of the last general elections was deflated last week when the ruling party in the state pulled a major opposition figure and others into its fold.

Senator Julius Ucha, the gubernatorial candidate of the ANPP in the last election had made an impressive effect ahead of the elections but surprisingly failed to click at the election. Ucha’s aspiration had been boosted few months to the

Gov Elechi

election by the elevation of a former Governor of the state, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu as the national chairman of the ANPP.

It was as such a twist for the opposition party last weekend when the Assistant Legal Adviser to the National Chairman of the ANPP, Barrister Ernest Igwe and 254 members of the party and the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, decamped to PDP, the ruling party in the state.

It was really surprising given that many supporters of Senator Ucha are desperately praying for the governorship tribunal sitting in Abakaliki to nullify the result of the last election or declare their governorship candidate winner of the election.

The defection was not the first bubble to burst for Ucha. Earlier the Governorship Petition Tribunal had caused agony for Ucha’s supporters with its ruling not to admit the result of the forensic analysis submitted to the Governorship Petition Tribunal by Senator Julius Ucha.

Although, it is expected that the Court of Appeal would give its verdict on the matter this month, the number of the defectors including APGA members had given fiber to the political viability and dominance of PDP at both state and local government levels despite the controversy that has continued to trail the results of the last general elections.

However, what was thought provoking at the occasion was the statement made by Barrister Igwe. He pointed out that throughout his stay in ANPP he was deceived into believing that the party would dominate Ebonyi state and other South eastern states politically, which according to him has turned out not to be so.

At the occasion which took place at Igwe Market Square, Ndiagu Amagu in Ikwo local government area of the state, Igwe further noted that he was comfortable with his decision adding that he had nothing to lose having left ANPP for a stronger and bigger party in the country.

Sen Ucha

According to him: “What formed my opinion of joining PDP was on the ground that I see PDP as a moving train. In Ebonyi, having seen the progressive achievements of Governor Martin Elechi who comes from my place, I decided to join myself to him.

“He has done so much in terms construction of bridges and roads; provision of basic amenities for the people and several other projects too numerous to mention. I don’t regret joining PDP. In fact, I now know I’m in the right place and I will definitely give my best to the party” he said

Receiving the new members into PDP, the zonal Chairman, Ebonyi Central senatorial district, Mr. Livinus Ilang stated that the party was happy to take delivery of new members even as he urged them to abide strictly by the rules and regulation governing the party at all times.

Ilang who predicted that many more members of other political parties in the state would join PDP stressed that none of the defectors were sweet-talked into changing their political allegiance. He added that most of the structures of other political parties collapsed into PDP immediately after the last general election in the state

Meanwhile, the Youth Leader of the party, Comrade Chinedu Ogah warned the new members against acts of insubordination and anti-party activities which according to him are factors responsible for the collapse of any party.

Ogah advised the new members to be committed to the programmes and activities of the party without relenting adding that there was no way their effort and contributions to the development of the party would not be rewarded in due course.

This development coming ahead of the local government elections is expected to put the ruling party in better stead. Well that is if the ANPP does not again play a fast one by responding in kind as the ruling party has just done.