BY VICTOR NWEGEDE
Ebonyi State Chapter of the All Progressives Progress, APC, has warned the member representing Afikpo North/Afikpo South Federal Constituency, Mr Idu Igariwey to stop parading himself as the state governor.
The Publicity Secretary of the party in Ebonyi State, Comrade Simbad Chidi Ogbuatu, gave this warning in a statement made available to journalists, on Saturday in Abakaliki.
Ogbuatu disclosed that the attention of the APC in Ebonyi has been drawn to what his party described as "a broad daylight insanity and arrogation of the title "His Excellency" by Idu Igariwe to his name who claims to be the governor," of the state.
He, however, said APC would have ordinarily, chosen to remain calm but the need for some clarifications, made the party inform the general public to know "that Idu Igariwe is not the Governor of Ebonyi State and can never be as no one has ever become Governor of a state through appointment since the return of democracy in Nigeria and as such should desist forthwith arrogating himself as the governor of Ebonyi State."
Ogbuatu further expressed the readiness of the APC to promote fairness, justice and equity in the governorship position of Ebonyi, to reduce clashes of interest and other sentiments emanating from politicians in the state.
His words: "That if Idu Igariwe has the interest to contest which is not possible hence it is not the turn of Ebonyi South to produce the next governor of Ebonyi State, he should, first of all, resign his elective position as Member representing Afikpo North/Afikpo South Federal Constituency at the green chamber," he said.
"That he(Idu) should know that the office of the Governor is not for loafers and dementias but for men of great character, honour and willpower to take their immediate society to the next level.
"That we are very much aware of the frustration that he(Idu) lost the grip of his constituents as a result of his brutish lifestyle and as such his desire to remain in power after 2023 election became truncated.
"We are using this opportunity to remind Mr idu Idariwe and those misleading him that Ebonyi State still has an active Governor, His Excellency, Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi Fuse, fate, whose tenure will end come 2023.
Henceforth, he should desist from arrogating himself with the name His Excellency and granting of the press release as the governor of Ebonyi State
"That we only have one Governor and he is His Excellency, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi FNSE FNATE who is the progressive leader of APC Ebonyi State, Governor of Ebonyi State, Chairman South East Governor's forum and Co-Chairman South-South Governor's forum.
"That the good people of Ebonyi State are fully determined to defend the mandate which they gave to His Excellency, Engr Chief David Nweze Umahi within the breadth and length of the law if he continues to parade himself in this unlawful manner."
