Pro-democracy group berates Abia APC over threat to sanction ex-minister, Ogah

Progressive Nigerians for Fairness in Governance,(PNFG), a pro-democracy group in the fold of All Progressives Congress, has berated the recent threats by Abia state chapter of APC, to unleash its disciplinary action against the former minister of state, for mines and steel development and 2019 Abia gubernatorial candidate of the party, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah,

Recall that Abia Publicity secretary of the APC, Uche Aguoru, had in a statement on Sunday, accused Ogah of anti-party activities over his recent remarks during a reception organized in honour of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Abia state, Ikechukwu Uwanna, SAN, held in Isiuakwato local government area at the weekend.

The statement by the party spokesman quoted the ex-minister as saying that despite being a member of the APC, he would support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and the Labour Party (LP) to win the Abia governorship election in 2027.

The main opposition APC in Abia state, threatened to initiate a disciplinary action on Dr. Ogah if he continues to rally support for the labour party-controlled government in the state.

But, Progressive Nigerians for Fairness in Governance. (PNFG) in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the President, Surveyor Samuel Aguiyi, described the party’s threats to extend its sledge hammer on the former minister as a caricature of this present 21st century.

Condemning such threats by the Abia APC chapter unequivocally, the group urged the party leadership to tread with cautions and shun actions that are capable of undermining the unity of the party in the state, and entire southeast geopolitical region.

The Progressive Nigerians for Fairness in Governance, maintained that Dr. Uche Ogah ‘s remarks during the recent event in isiuakwato local government area, reflected the positions of majority of APC members and larger Abia populaces who yearns for continuity of Governor Alex Otti-led administration in the state beyond 2027.

While carpeting the newly-elected state executive committee of the APC for its failed attempts to portray former minister as a mole within her ranks, the socio-political group reminded the party leadership that one does not pull down a house he or she built. And nothing that Dr Uche Ogah’s immense contributions, and roles towards development of APC in Abia state cannot be overemphasized.

“It’s on record for posterity sake that the overwhelming acceptance of APC by Abia people today was propelled by Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah’s track records of excellence in private and public sector-driven leaderships. And also, you can attest that Nigerians once saw APC as a party consisted of boko-haram terrorists in its early formation, but Dr. Ogah’s popularity and entry into APC, visibly increased membership of the party in Abia state, and the southeast zone as a whole.

“On the heels of his sterling human and leadership qualities, teeming members of the party in the state unanimously entrusted party ticket to Dr. Uche Ogah to become Abia governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC during 2019 general election held in Abia, and many other states of the federation by the national electoral commission.

“And it was equally on record that Dr Uchechukwu Ogah as the formal Abia state gubernatorial flag-bearer of APC, and other progressive-minded Abians cum party members, demonstrated genuine commitments to ensure APC triumph, during the concluded 2019 elections. But, some anti-democratic elements within the party ranks-led by chief Ikechi Emenike, thwarted every efforts by Abia APC to win the state governorship seat, and as well secure winning in majority of elective seats in national and state house of assemblies.

“It’s equally on records that most of the people who parades themselves as leaders, and stakeholders of the party failed to deliver their respective local electoral wards to APC, during the 2019 poll. But, Uche Ogah as popularly called, delivered APC and then President Muhammadu Buhari in his onuaku ward in Isiuakwato LGA to APC. And Dr. Ogah also replicated same feats in the election of Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of Nigeria in last 2023 elections” He pointed out.

As 2027 general election approaches, the group maintained that the foremost industrialist and party leader, Dr. Uche Ogah is focused, resolute, and firmly committed to delivering APC, and President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office.

Progressive Nigerians for Fairness & Accountability in Governance, said Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah, represented Abia state and APC effectively in federal executive council, (FEC) with track record of performances hailed by the former President Buhari and critical stakeholders in the nation’s mines and steel sector.

The group noted that most critical reforms, and programs carried out by Dr. Ogah in Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, had illegal activities of smugglers, which boosted the country’s internally-generated revenue base, and ensured training Nigeria youths in solid mineral processing and many others unmentioned.

According to the pro-democracy and rights advocacy organization, these visible giant strides recorded then by Dr. Ogah in Nigeria’s mining sector received accolades from President Buhari, during his assessments/evaluation drive carried out in federal ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).

Beyond Nigeria’s mining and steel development sector, Progressive Nigerians for Fairness in Governance, noted that Dr. Ogah used his position as former member of the federal executive council (FEC) chaired by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari attracted construction and rehabilitation of Akara-Uturu federal road, and many rural ring roads in Abia communities.

“Dr. Uche Ogah, otherwise known as Doyen of Abia Rejoice, also made use of his exalted office as the former FEC member in facilitating federal government’s approval for establishment of federal polytechnic in umunneochi local government area of Abia State. As a former federal cabinet member, he equally facilitated inclusion of hundreds of Abia indigenes federal government-powered social empowerment and development programs. And on conclusion of the very impactful social empowerment programs initiated by past Buhari’s administration in the country, qualified indigenes from Abia and other states were given financial grants, provided logistics supports to set up small-scale businesses and became self-reliant. And these above-mentioned and other developmental strides he achieved as a public servant, were aside from numerous philanthropic gestures/service initiated by his charity foundation established to carter for less- privileged Nigeria citizens.

Aligning with the recent statement allegedly credited to the ex-minister, citing the citizen’s rights to hold opinions as enshrined in Nigeria constitution, Progressive Nigerians for Fairness & Accountability in Governance, told the leadership of Abia APC that present Nigeria society has raised above party politics, as citizens, irrespective of political affiliations, now supports leaders or governments that cares about their welfares, and the development of the society.

Based on the foregoing, Progressive Nigerians for Fairness in Governance, issued a 7 days ultimatum to Hon Chijioke Chukwu-led Abia APC to tender apology Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, for infringing his constitutional rights to personal opinions, with the evil intents to malign and pitch presidency against this eminent party leader, Ogah.