By: Ikenna Oluka
Ahead of National Assembly primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the people of Onicha Igboeze clan in Ebonyi state have threatened to support any political party other than the PDP or people that are willing to factor their interest very well ahead of 2019 election.
The clan, who spoke under the aegis of Onicha Igboeze Town Union, alleged they were aware of the plot to scheme out their son, Hon. Linus Abaa Okorie, by internal forces, bent on thwarting his return ticket despite the alleged position of the National Working Committee of the party who prescribed currently serving National Assembly members be returned to boost the party’s cohesive thrust towards clinching the presidency in 2019.
The clan, therefore, warned the ruling PDP in the state against unnecessary politics and manipulation with Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo (OHAONIVO) Federal Constituency ticket of the party.
“Ebonyi State chapter of the PDP is religiously implementing this strategic policy directive in virtually all other federal constituencies in the state except in OHAONIVO, a seat occupied by our own son, Rt. Hon. Linus Okorie Abaa, and indication are rife that certain internal forces are afoot to thwart his return ticket. Our position is why? We say that no reason is tenable whatsoever. What is sauce for the goose is certainly sauce for the gander.”
The Union made their feelings known in a Communiqué issued after its emergency meeting and signed by the President of the union, Chief James Nwankwo; Deputy President of Onicha Town Union, Mr. Akuma Nwani Okorie; Chairman Onicha Development Union, Elder Sunday Anoke; Chairman Igboeze Development Union Chief Okikie Onu; Prime Minister Igboeze Autonomous community, Chief Ogbonnaya Nwankwo and Chief Felix Akpa Ogo who is all a Prime Minister of Igboeze autonomous community.
According to them, Onicha has taken the least slots of both the Senate and the House of Representatives shared by the three local government areas that make up the constituency, yet, some forces are bent on denying their son, Hon. Linus Okorie a return ticket.
They noted with dismay that whenever it comes to a dispensation of democracy dividends, Onicha local government was always shortchanged by the PDP despite their unparalleled loyalty and support to the party since 1999.
They further added that Onicha people have been grossly shortchanged in a plethora of ways as even promises made to them by Governor Umahi, including street lights and cultural centre were yet to be fulfilled. They equally mentioned that the Governor had on January endorsed Hon. Okorie when they organised civic reception for him.
“Now, not only have we no street light whose deadline for installation the governor put at June 2018; we are not a little alarmed that there are ongoing intrigues to scuttle the just mandate of Rt. Hon. Linus Okorie Abaa, a mandate which may only equal the ante in the distribution of offices in the constituency.”
“Let no one mistake our body language. We shall give to only who is willing to give us. We are unequivocally ready to work with those who do not take our collective sense of solidarity for granted; for everyone knows that robbing Peter to pay Paul is asinine politics.
“A denigrating action targeted at a sincere and loyal bloc MUST, not out of will, BUT out of self-defence be rebuffed. Let no one make any mistake about this: Onicha-Igboeze, grandchildren of Ezza Ezekunna with the spirit of resoluteness and uncanny resistance to operation latent and effusive, even though quite often, we, like the wheel of God grind slowly, but certainly we do grind,” they concluded.
They urged Governor David Umahi, in the very least to play neutral as a father in OHAONIVO federal constituency primary election of the party as anything short of it would not be acceptable for them as a people.