An elder statesman and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, has cautioned non-Igbos against undue interference in the affairs of Ndigbo, particularly in political matters.
Ogbonnaya took exception to comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole, allegedly questioning the competence of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to lead President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the South-East.
He noted that although Oshiomhole had attempted to clarify his remarks, it was a collective insult to Ndigbo for an outsider to interfere in leadership matters concerning the region.
According to Ogbonnaya, a former commissioner in Abia State, it had become a trend for politicians from other parts of Nigeria to dabble in the affairs of the South-East, especially on political matters.
He said it was inconceivable that the former Edo State governor would comment on Uzodimma’s leadership of Tinubu’s campaign while he had yet to resolve what Ogbonnaya described as his own political challenges in Edo State and the South-South.
“Let him first remove the log in his eyes before talking about the speck in other people’s eyes. He should concentrate on his own problems, including his running battle with the Senate President and the NNPC,” he said.
The traditional title holder of Evulogu Ibeku questioned how anyone could doubt the competence of Uzodimma, whom he credited with securing victories for the APC in Imo State and making significant sacrifices towards ensuring Tinubu’s re-election.
He said Uzodimma had also played a significant role in expanding the APC’s influence in the South-East while working with other stakeholders to strengthen the party in the zone ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Hope Uzodimma is a reliable and competent leader in Igboland and we love him. He is committed to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC in the zone is with him,” he said.
Ogbonnaya urged Oshiomhole to focus on Edo State and leave Igboland alone, warning that the people would not take kindly to attempts by outsiders to interfere in the affairs of the South-East.
He described as unfortunate the practice of politicians from outside Igboland using the region as a political launch pad and said such conduct would continue to be resisted.
