From Ifeoma Ejiofor
There would have been a breach of peace in Orumba South Local Goverment Area of Anambra State but for the managerial ability of the State Commissoner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiifor, the congress committee chairman of the area who rose to the occasion.
Recall that the National Executive Committee(NEC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has earlier approved for 17th, 20th and 23rd May, 2023 for Ward, LGA and State congresses respectively.
The pre-congress meeting which held at the LGA hall which commenced at about 2.30pm has progressed peacefully until the former deputy governor, Chief Emeka Sibudu attacked and beat up a journalist who is also a Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Gov Charles Soludo, Hon Obinna Nwankwo.
Hon Nwankwo was almost striped naked by the former deputy governor’s group but for intervention of some stakeholders in attendance.
He was not however lucky with his phone as it was snatched by the enraged former deputy governor’s urchins.
A number of people who commented on the attack by the former deputy governor on Hon Nwankwo claimed that it was a ploy to water the ground for the annoited local government party chairman of his choice.
The situation would have gotten out of hand but the administrative dexterity of the Anambra State Commissoner for Agriculture who resolved to zoning different elective positions in the congress and insisted on transparency.
One of the stakeholders who attended the pre-congress meeting expressed disappointment in the comportment of the former deputy governor and his group .
He said that the attitude of the earstwhile number two man of Anambra State falls short of a democrat and the lofty office he used to occupy.
Some of stakeholders in attendance appealed to the Anambra State governor, Prof Charles Soludo to take judicial note of happenings in Orumba South Local Goverment Area with regards to conduct of Ward and LGA APGA congress.
They claimed that the imposition of officials on the party faithful is majorly responsible for the lack luster performance of APGA in the last general elections in the area.
“We cannot be doing things the same way and expect different results, political positions are always given to individuals on a platter whether they are qualified for such or not, the development has not in any way helped our party, this time around we appeal to our beloved governor who is giving the state a new lease of life with his unprecedented transformational leadership to ensure that square pegs occupy the square holes in the management of APGA.” Another stakeholder stressed.
Attempts by journalists to speak with the former deputy governor, Chief Emeka Sibudu for his comment about the development was rebuffed by his foot soldiers.
The meeting was attended by The Transition Committee chairman for Orumba South LGA, Jon S.N uchendu, Chief Ben oranusi, Rt Hon Ben Nwankwo, Barr Benneth Ibekwe, NTU Japan amongst others.