Chilaka Patrick
Former Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha has denied describing supporters of Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi as saboteurs, saying it was the handiwork of fifth columnists out to cause disaffection between him and his longtime friend.
The former governor made this assertion through a statement from his media aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu, who stated that his principal was quoted out of context by fifth columnists who seized his speech at an event in Accra Ghana to throw spanners into a long time relationship he shares with Peter Obi.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to Mr Onyeukwu, Ihedioha a few days ago was in Accra, Ghana on the invitation of his kinsmen to celebrate this year’s New Yam festival (Iri Ji ) with the Mbaise community in the West African country.
While in Ghana, Ihedioha admonished party members to be loyal towards the ideals and vision of the Peoples Democratic Party as the 2023 general election draws closer.
“In doing so, he decried what at best is the insouciant attitude and worse, the outright sabotage of some acclaimed party leaders who are engaging in acts that are inimical to the success of the PDP especially in the Southeast who were working in cahoots with the other parties. He was only talking about members of his own political party.
“For clarity purposes, His Excellency, neither referred to members of any other political party, especially the Labour Party as saboteurs.
“He only spoke in the context of the PDP and the emphasis was on the need for members of his party to remain consistent and committed.”
Mr Onyeukwu further stated that “it is inconceivable that Ihedioha would refer to anybody who is supporting Mr Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, his long time friend with whom he shares close political affinity and has utmost respect for as a saboteur.
“It is unfortunate that his well-intentioned speech which addressed the specific issue of happenings within his own political party was, again, manipulated by fifth columnists to suit their mischievous scheme of bringing him on a collision with Mr. Peter Obi, whose unwavering political philosophy of “Taking Back Nigeria” from the draconian stranglehold of the failed ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, he wholeheartedly shares.”
Mr Onyeukwu rounded off by stating that, Ihedioha respects the aspirations and passion of members of other political parties, even as he remains committed to the cause of his own political party and it is not in his character to cast aspersions on those who hold contrary political opinion.
