…Accuses Him of Protecting His Interests
By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Anambra State branch of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has lampooned the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, for saying that Governor Chukwuma Soludo has no opposition in the November 8th Gubernatorial election in Anambra State, accusing him of working for his pockets and interests.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. Valentine Iyke Oliobi, who made this known at the party’s Secretariat Awka, while addressing, newsmen, March 31, emphasized that despite internal disagreements, the APC remained a united family, determined to conduct credible primaries and win the governorship election, even as he expressed the party’s desire to connect the state to national politics.
He said that this time, the APC would get it right and put to shame, those who expected a crisis to envelope the party.
According to him, unity was what defined a party, and the APC was ready to approach the election with a united front.
He further noted that the party’s National Working Committee had directed the conduct of credible and transparent primaries and that they were committed to pursuing the election as one united entity.
‘As of today, APC is one united family, and any internal issues we have will be resolved internally as a family. On April 5th, we will hold primaries that will be accepted by all of the aspirants,’ he said.
Dr. Oliobi said the party had all it took to take over government from Professor Chukwuma Soludo next year.
According to him, Anambra People would not be carried away by the praises recently showered on Governor Soludo by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during his recent visit to Anambra State.
He argued that a core party man should not come to a state controlled by another political party to make such a statement.
‘Our party frowns at Umahi’s statement and would take necessary action at the appropriate time,’ he added.
His words: ‘Recently, the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, while on an official working visit to Anambra State, showered Governor Soludo with praises, but let’s not be fooled—that praise was hollow, contradictory, and oxymoronic.
‘Anambra People cannot be carried away by Minister Umahi’s sugar-coated words because in-between the lines of the so-called praises are nothing but a diplomatic way of expressing disappointment by the Minister.
‘If Umahi truly meant his words, why did his tone sound more of surprise than genuine admiration? Let us not mistake a handshake for a hug.
‘Umahi, being an engineer himself, knows what real infrastructure looks like. He was sincerely very disappointed with the politically motivated awards of contracts by Gov. Soludo in the bid of seeking reelection.
‘What he saw in Anambra was not impressive, but underwhelming. His remarks were not a validation of success but a subtle reminder that Anambra is not where it should be.
‘Aside from Minister Dave Umahi’s unguarded utterances in support of his business ally, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, during his recent visit to Anambra State, it is equally worth of note that Minister Dave Umahi and Gov. Chukwuma Soludo had a joint interest on most of the federal road constructions in Anambra State,’ he concluded.
