The former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has declared that Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State is warmly welcomed to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Okechukwu, a founding member of the APC, made this known in a statement released on Monday in Enugu, on behalf of the APC Foundation Members in Enugu State and the South-East region.
The statement was in response to remarks allegedly made by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, at a meeting in Enugu on Sunday.
Nnaji was quoted as suggesting that new entrants into the APC should prepare for internal competition.
Okechukwu cited Nnaji’s statement:
“Anybody who wants to run for the governorship of Enugu State, let him come to the APC, we will go to contest, we are waiting for them.”
In response, Okechukwu stated:
“We the foundation members of APC wish to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah, and his group are wholeheartedly welcomed to APC Enugu State in accordance with the standard convention of our great party.”
“Gov. Mbah and his group should not be scared by anybody.”
He questioned why Nnaji, who previously belonged to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would attempt to push away Governor Mbah, whom he described as an “exceptionally performing” leader.
“We are at a loss why Nnaji, who himself is from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is chasing away the exceptionally performing Gov. Mbah.”
Okechukwu urged Governor Mbah to disregard the comments made by the minister.
“For we the foundation members, Gov. Mbah should disregard our dear brother Chief Nnaji, because we want to win Lion Building for the first time and join 23 other states to guarantee President Bola Tinubu’s victory in 2027.”
He further advised Chief Nnaji to concentrate on his responsibilities at the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.
“Otherwise, we will not allow Chief Nnaji who came distant fourth with 14,575 votes in the gubernatorial election and fouled atmosphere for President Tinubu with 4,722 in the 2023 presidential election to rubbish APC again.”
