…As Ugwu insists he was attacked, leaders want party to intervene
There is apparent tension in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government area of Imo State following misunderstanding that ensued among party chieftains during a meeting recently.
It was gathered that the misunderstanding was between Chief Ethel Ugwu the Council’s Party Chairman and a member of State Executive Committee, SEC, Officer, Mr Tony Odirichukwu during a meeting of leaders recently at the State capital, Owerri.
Speaking to the media when contacted on the issue, Mr Tony Odirichukwu who vehemently rebutted allegations bordering on attack on Chief Ethel Ugwu, posited that politics is a matter of interests which he said does not mean that people could not disagree on issues based on interest.
He said “in politics you air your opinion and allow others to do so”. He said he did not attack anybody, stressing that he cannot stoop that low.”I don’t know what one means by attack.
He disclosed that they were in a party meeting and that if there is anything that anyone said or did during such party meeting, there are procedures stipulated in the party’s guidelines, to follow. “Which means that he has access to the party hierarchy where one can report the misdemeanor. If one had done so, he should wait and allow the party to look into it “, he said.
Continuing, he denied that nobody was writing any list as it is being bandied about. “Rather the party had a meeting to look into certain information”, he claimed.
Odirichukwu said he never and could not have attacked anyone adding if it was any such physical attack any such attack will have an evidence.
He also rebutted allegations bordering on query from the party.
He made it categorically clear that they had a meeting to look at certain complaints that were brought to that particular organ of the party, saying that in such meeting people could disagree and agree.
He insisted that there are party machinery and procedures for resolving whatever issues they have, advising Chief Ugwu to use the organs of the party if he feels offended by his (Odirichukwu’s) presentation, attitude or approach.
In a chat with Ahiazu Mbaise APC Chairman, Chief Ugwu, said the misunderstanding took place during a meeting of some LGA Party chieftains in Owerri.
He stated that he was invited for a meeting by the SA to the Governor on Labour Matters, Comrade Austin Chilakpu, at Suncity Hotel Owerri, where he met some other APC chieftains from their LGA, which included Hon Pat Obasi, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon Anslem Anyanwu and Chief Mike Uzodinma.
Ugwu alleged that a list of Local Government Councillors was type-written and given to him to sign, which he declined to do so, adding that it led to the altercation between him and Mr Odirichukwu, resulting in the attack.
He informed our reporter that a query has been issued to the state officer of the party after which the disciplinary committee will then look into the allegation.
Party leaders who spoke from the area who do not want their names in public, described the tension as regrettable and called for reconciliation among members of the party
They urged the state party leadership to get involved and deal with issues that would douse the heightened tensions in the LGA.
