By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
The factional gubernatorial candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State, Elias Mbam on Monday raised alarm over alleged plans to suspend him by the chairman of the Party in the state, Stanley Okoro Emegha.
APC in Ebonyi is divided and its factions led by Governor David Umahi and the former Chairman of RMAFC, Elias Mbam.
Mbam who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki through his Chief Press Secretary, Obinna Udenwe Said, “We have heard plans being orchestrated by the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi and the State APC Chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha to suspend Engr. Elias Mbam, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the just concluded APC gubernatorial primary in Ebonyi State.
“This is not only ridiculous but beats every known rule and guideline as contained in the APC constitution, as amended.
“After the APC primary of Thursday 26th May 2022, the Governor and the Chairman had a meeting in the evening and concluded plans to suspend Engr. Elias Mbam. This, we thought was mere rumour until Sunday, 29th May, when there was an announcement on local radio by one Mr. Unachi Christopher inviting Engr. Mbam to a meeting at his ward by 8am of Monday 30th, knowing that it was impossible for Engr. Mbam who is in Abuja to return to Ebonyi before 8am.
“This Issue has become a subject of a pending court case and the principal actor Mr. Christopher Unachi was duly served with the court processes today, Monday 30th May 2022, by the bailiff of the Ebonyi State High Court.
“Governor Umahi’s action of using his aides to summon Engr. Elias Mbam for a disciplinary procedure in Ebonyi State in connection with the APC Gubernatorial primary election is a mockery of the APC guidelines for primary elections and also an abuse of the powers conferred on the appropriate organs of the party at various levels under the extant APC Constitution.
“Ebonyi people have been jubilant since Thursday 26th May when Engr. Elias Mbam won the APC governorship primary against the endorsed and anointed aspirant of Governor David Umahi who is not even a member of our party.
“We, therefore, call on Ebonyi people, APC faithful and teeming supporters of Engr. Elias Mbam, to ignore this latest move by Governor Umahi and his agents. We urge them to remain peaceful and law-abiding and to go about their normal businesses” he stressed.
The chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi State, Stanley Okoro Emegha when contacted for reactions on phone, refused to speak on the matter.
