An elder Statesman and chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Abia state, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya has warned former Kaduna Governor, Mallam Nasir El- Rufai against insulting Igbos by inviting them to join the new party coalition.
He said it was unfortunate that the Igbos have descended to the level that people from outside the South East will now dictate to them which party to join.
Chief Ogbonnaya( Evule- Ogu Ibeku who was reacting to overtures by a political jobber on duty for his master, El – Rufai who urged Igbos to abandon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC ahead of the 2027 election, warned such people to steer clear, as the people have a mind of their own.
” We know those who have our best interests at heart, certainly not El-Rufai and his group whose antecedents are well known to us,” he submitted.
Chief Ogbonnaya, a two time Commissioner in Abia state said it was regrettable that the South East which produced a political prodigy like Dr Alex Ekwueme who initiated the six zonal structure in Nigeria, has suddenly become a playground for political charlatans.
He described as untrue and misleading the insinuation that President Tinubu has not accommodated the people of the South East in his administration.
He said in Abia state, the APC federal government is building an airport, the Federal Secretariat, and a Teaching Hospital all facilitated by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative, Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
According to him, ” An Igbo man is the Chief of Naval staff. An Igbo man is the number six man in this country, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representative. For the first time since the end of the war, Tinubu gave us the South East Development Commission, and people have the audacity to come here to insult our sensibilities. “
The APC chieftain noted that while Igbos are not ingrates and would show their gratitude to their benefactors, they have a mind of their own to make their political decisions at the right time.
He likened the Igbo spirit to what is happening in Anambra State, where APGA has held on to power for so long in spite of challenges and political intimidation.
Chief Ogbonnaya urged Igbos to be steadfast and uphold integrity in all their political dealing henceforth.
He said the present administration under Tinubu has been fair to Igbos and should be fully supported ahead of the 2027 General election.
