The Founder and President of David Umahi Nweze Akubaraoha Ebonyi Transformation Agenda (DUNAETA), a grassroots NGO based in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, Lady Monica Chidinma Ada Eze has reacted to the wagging of tongues that have trailed the planned movement of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that it has become imperative to put in proper perspective, the stand of the Governor on the news that has continued to command wider circulation.
In a statement made available to media houses, Lady Monica Chidinma Ada Eze who also doubles as the Technical Adviser to the Governor explained that the position of the peoples’ Governor is, and has always been that the Peoples Democratic Party be fair enough to ratify the ‘injustices meted out on the South East since the inception of the party over two decades ago’.
Recalling the roles played by Late Sage and former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekweme alongside others in confronting the Abacha Junta to secure the current democracy the country enjoys and which pioneered the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party, Lady Monica Eze lamented the ‘sudden gang ups and later, the unjust denial meted on the then Presidential hopeful from flying the party’s flag in the build-up to the 1999 Presidential election, notwithstanding the fact that he was the most preferred in the circle of contenders’. She said Ekwueme’s only crime was that he was from the South East region.
Despite several other acts of ‘injustice and unfair treatments,’ Monica Eze maintained that the South East never staggered, but remained faithful to the course of the Peoples Democratic Party. She however regretted that the party has continued to treat the zone as inconsequential and with sheer levity in its concerns, commending Nigerians for standing by the Governor for raising their consciousness to the ‘undemocratic leanings of the party and its leadership’.
Monica highlighted that by the singular act of boldness displayed by Umahi, the Governor has carved a niche for himself as the conscience of the South East and a beacon of hope and comfort for the people of the zone who have suffered perpetual neglect from the PDP.
Monica highlighted that her boss appealed to the national leadership of the party to promise to zone the Presidential ticket to the South East, as a condition prerequisite for his continued stay in the PDP. She said the zoning will determine the seriousness on the part of the party to remedy their wrongs against the long-neglected zone.
Lady Monica Aka Ada Ebonyi maintained that election is like warfare and all is good in any war. ‘Since the PDP has deliberately refused to zone its presidential ticket to the zone, the Igbo will go with any political party that cedes to its interest. It is unjust and an act of witchery for the PDP to deny the zone the presidential slot not minding that since 1999, the Southeast has been a backbone of the PDP and nothing to show for it. We can no longer continue to play second fiddle in a political party we saw to its formation”
Monica noted with happiness the resolution of the Party to hold an Emergency NEC this Thursday, November 19 at the National Secretariat of the party, Wadata Plaza, Abuja to discuss the Planned Defection of Governor Umahi while the Board of Trustees (BoT), the highest advisory organ of the party, is also scheduled to meet on Wednesday at 2pm on the same issue.
The actions of the party, TA Monica said, shows that it is coming to terms with the lurking danger and risk that will confront it should a high flying political leader like Governor Umahi be allowed to defect, stressing such a movement will culminate in the total decimation of the party before the 2023 general election.
As Nigerians await the outcome of the scheduled meetings, Monica assured her boss that 95% of the leadership of the South East including the apex body of Ndi Igbo the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo are with him in this struggle to restore the dignity of the Igbos in the politics of Nigeria.
