The immediate past Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government and a governorship aspirant in the state for the 2019 general elections, Professor Bernard Odoh, has expressed great worry over the crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress both at the state and national levels.
The professor of Geophysics made the expression during an interview with newsmen in Abakaliki where he clearly pointed out that ‘absence of shared vision is a key challenge ‘ causing crisis in their party.
The don regretted that the party’s stalwarts are ”not doing as much as required to resolve the issues” and called on all members at all levels to shun all causes of crisis, stressing that as divided they would fall helplessly but united they shall stand firm.
On whether the said crisis would rob APC of victory in the 2019 general elections, he said, ”As at today, I can’t predict the possible actions of voters in 2019 election. We still have more than two months to the general elections. I believe there is room for improvement of the current situation in the party.”
Prof. Odoh debunked claims of a governorship flag bearer of the party in the state in 2019 governorship election, Senator Sunny Ogbuoji, who alleged claim that he (Prof Odoh ) is not really popular among party faithfuls.
I can’t predict the possible actions of voters in 2019 election. We still have more than two months to the general elections. I believe there IS room for improvement of the current situation in the party
”If I’m unpopular as he claims, how come I scored 519 votes as first runner-up despite the fraud in Ikwo and Ezza South delegate list. Sen Ogboji is not the one to determine my popularity. The ordinary people who are desirous of real positive change in Ebonyi are better situated to determine what each of us represent. Remember, Sen Ogboji and myself joined APC the same day being 4th August, 2018,” he
said.
According to Odoh, ’’Sen Ogboji called me on 2nd October after the primaries of 30th September and 1st October to congratulate me for my team’s performance. That was the only and last time I had communication with him. I’m not in the position to discuss or give information as to whether other contestants are with him or not. That’s not my priority at this moment.’’
On his rejection of results from the recent APC governorship primaries in the state conducted by a committee headed by Senator Domingo Obande for alleged shortchanging of delegates lists and subsequently petition to APC appeal panel, he lamented that neither the State nor the National leadership of APC has called him for any truce,hence the suit pending before Federal High court sitting in Abakaliki against Independent National Electoral Commission, APC and Senator Ogbuoji, among others.
”The suit before the Federal High Court hinges on interpretation of laws, guidelines of the primaries and the electoral act. Use of delegates other than the delegates elected through party congress is unconstitutional. We are confident that the judiciary will do the needful. I’ll not go beyond that here as the matter is before the court of competent jurisdiction,” he said.
