Reactions have trailed the emergence of Barr Emma Ibediro as National Organizing Secretary of the All Progressive Congress, APC at its national convention held at Eagles Square in Abuja.
Ibediro,an aide of Okorocha had emerged victorious for the plum position defeating Senator Osita Izunaso, a top member of the Coalition.
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Okorocha’s faction of the APC in the State and the Coalition engaged in a nail biting fight at the Convention as they scrambled for the position of National Organizing Secretary.
Delegates from both camps had engaged in a face off at the convention ground.
After Ibediro’s emergence, Governor Okorocha in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemedo, congratulated the newly elected National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole and Barr Emma Ibediro.
“The governor also Congratulated Barrister Emma Ibediro, an indigene of the State, for his election as the new National Organizing Secretary of the Party. He equally shared the joy of the moment with all those who emerged at the Party’s National Convention to give the Party a new leadership.
“The governor expressed optimism that with Comrade Oshiomhole working with the new set of National Working Committee members of the Party, Nigerians will see a more vibrant and result-oriented leadership of the Party” the statement stated.
In a counter reaction, the Coalition in a statement signed by Chairman of Imo APC Coalition, Uzoma Obiyo fumed at the outcome of the convention describing it as a show of mockery and shame of on the part of the organizers.
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The Coalition alleged that “We are all aware that the convention was marred with a high level of rigging, intimidation and pressure from everywhere. In a brazen disregard for the public eye and opinion (even as opposition parties watched in ‘predator style’ readiness to exploit possible display of chaos in the event and of which they were not disappointed), ballot boxes were destroyed, thuggery and bullying were the order of the day whilst some state votes were not counted; we are all aware of what transpired.
It said its efforts were ambushed by political thuggery.
The Statement reads “. I encourage all members of the allied forces whilst decrying the outcome of convention as totally unacceptable because it was marred by several irregularities.
The decay which has sipped into the pores of the Executive of the party in a bid to bring one man down, raises that question of the ability of this party to hold credible elections come 2019.
“I thus urge calm and solidarity among us as this is the time for us to show our strength, become more serious and committed to our cause as a team bearing in mind what lies ahead. We have proved in time past, our ability to overcome obstacles irrespective of its magnitude as a united and formidable force.
Distinguished Senator Osita Izunaso remains our unsung hero and we will not give up without making effort to see that justice is served.