Angela Mbaocha, Abakaliki
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Izzi local government area of Ebonyi State, yesterday averred that they would not accept any imposition of candidates in the forthcoming coming 2023 general elections.
The stakeholders under the aegis of APC Stakeholders of Izzi Clan in Ebonyi State, who were reacting to the recent political developments in the state, also called on the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu to save the party from collapse ahead of next year’s general election.
Addressing newsmen in Abakaliki, the stakeholders, led by Amb. Alex Nwofe, alleged that there was a concluded plan to impose one of governorship aspirants and a prominent Lawmaker from the area on the people and vowed that they won’t tolerate it.
They expressed dissatisfaction over the on going adoption of one of the governorship aspirants in the area, by some traditional rulers and government officials, stating that such adoption was effort in futility as the APC was yet to release the primary election guideline.
The stakeholders described the adoption process as being contrary to the democratic norms and practices of due process as applicable to the democratic world, the Electoral Act 2022 as amended and APC Constitution. Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State had earlier set up a zoning committee to harmonize all elective positions in the three senatorial zones that make up the state.
But the stakeholders said they were disassociating themselves from the process, even as they noted that they have lost confidence in the committee.
They accused the state government of tacitly endorsing a prominent Lawmaker from the clan by mandating the traditional rulers in Izzi, three house of Assembly members in the clan, the three council chairmen from the clan and all the political appointees from the area to endorse the aspirant and air the endorsements on the state radio, EBBC when meeting on who will fly APC ticket from Izzi clan was yet to be concluded.
Stating, “We have therefore resolved to issue this press statement to the whole world, particularly, to the National leadership of the All Progressives Congress, Abuja to intervene and rescue the party from collapse ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general elections. We call on the Governor to note that he has the responsibility to ensure smooth transition of power in the State, particularly in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He should not be silent in these acts or give impression that he is tacitly supporting these actions by his appointees which is capable of breaching the peace of the State. We shall not accept imposition of candidates on us as members of the Party in Ebonyi-North zone, particularly of Izzi clan.
“We the concerned APC stakeholders of Izzi clan/extraction hereby disassociate ourselves from further deliberation on the matter as we have lost confidence in the fairness and impartiality of the members of the Committee to achieve the target as mandated to us by His Excellency, the Governor. It is on record that all these adoptions were made by Government appointees, similarly, the Honorable Members of the State Assembly of Izzi extraction went ahead to toe the line of the political appointees on the grounds that His Excellency has promised them automatic ticket because they followed him to defect.
“These processes are contrary to the democratic norms and practices of due process as applicable to the democratic world, the Electoral Act 2022 as amended and APC Constitution.
“We therefore call on the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), His Excellency, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and all the National executives of our party to intervene and nip the crisis in the bud before it escalates to ruin the chances of our party in winning the forthcoming general elections”.
