PDP
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, May 8, 2018 (NAN) Chief Austin Umahi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-East Vice-Chairman, has urged Gov. David Umahi’s appointees to expose the bad ones among them.
Umahi, who is the governor’s elder brother, gave the advice on Tuesday in Abakaliki while inaugurating the new executive members of the governor’s Senior Technical Assistants (STA) and Technical Assistants (TA) forum.
The PDP South-East chairman has noted that there were ‘Judases’ among the 562 appointees in both categories and they would be shown the way out when exposed.
“You have the duty of exposing these people among you and we already know the best way to handle them.
“This is not a period of sitting on the fence but determining where one belongs and standing firm there,” he said.
Umahi said that he was impressed with the recent rejuvenation of the appointees after disappointing performances that attracted backlashes from the governor and party stakeholders.
“We were appalled that we have such huge number of technical assistants to the governor but still had nothing to show for it.
“You were redundant in the past and with your present unity, your activities have assumed a hurricane dimensions which we are all proud of.
“We in the party are presently afraid that you may outshine us but it is still a positive development toward the realisation of our electoral targets,” he said.
He advised the appointees to shun rumour mongering, stressing that it damages a system or government structure.
“You currently have leaders at all categories and when you have issues to clarify, inquire from them instead of listening or peddling rumours.
“Somebody called me recently, alleging that the governor has problem with the party and I want to categorically state that Ebonyi is a frontline PDP state and enjoys the party’s goodwill.
“Such development cannot occur because that is why you put me in this position and I and the governor will not let the state down,” he said.
He noted that the rebranded PDP would produce the country’s president in the 2019 elections as the state was targeting to register 4 million voters for the elections.
“We have successfully concluded our congresses from the ward to the national level and will conduct hitch-free primaries unlike what obtained in the other parties ward congresses.
“I will show my appreciation for your efforts by making myself your patron, donating N500, 000 for your upkeep and liaising with the governor to release more buses to you for campaigns,” he said.
Mr Chidozie Igwe, Chairman of the forum, commended the members for their rededication to service and noted that the governor would be pleased with them.
“We are assuring the governor that we will not disappoint him again and are poised to embark on a political evangelism towards his re-election in 2019.
“We have toured 11 of the 13 local government areas (LGA) for Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) sensitisation and massive support for the governor’s re-election,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Umahi inaugurated a Toyota Hilux van meant for the forum’s campaign activities as members took turns to pledge their loyalty and support to the governor. (NAN)
RCO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)