Founding Members of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Ebonyi State, yesterday raised the alarm over what they described as Marginalization of old members of the party by Governor David Umahi’s administration, since joining the party.
The Founding Members alleged that ahead of the party primaries and political developments in the State, the State Governor has sidelined the old members and has refused to carry them along in the affairs of the party ahead of the 2023 General Elections in the state.
Speaking on behalf of other founding members, a former governorship aspirant in the State, Engr. Paul Okorie said that the new entrants in the party led by Governor Dave Umahi have hijacked the party and schemed them out.
Engr. Paul Okorie, a former Commissioner for Works and Environment in the state made the observation in Abakaliki while briefing journalists on political development in the state.
Okorie who condemned the endorsement of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Francis Nwifuru by Gov Umahi for 2023 governorship election in the state, describing it as unhealthy for democracy.
“How do you expect me to be comfortable that you are in a house and somebody came in to come and join you, you welcome him and he decided to hijack the house and took over everything?
“A governorship candidate of the party should emerge through open contest that is transparent and that is democracy. It is through only this condition that the very best can emerge.
“As we are getting into the election, we should be careful not to close political space against people. it should be thrown open so that everybody can contest and it will produce popular candidate”. Ends.
