Umahi, Oshiomhole at ‘war’ over Abakiliki Stadium

EGWUAGHA AMARACHUKWU reports that Ebonyi state Governor, Dave Umahi and National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, went for each other’s jugular at the weekend, causing unprecedented fuss in the political atmosphere of the state and beyond, over who has the right to use the state sports stadium
The fuss over Abakiliki’s stadium “Stay away from Ebonyi with your blackmail”.
The above words were from the governor of Ebonyi state, David Umahi, to no other person than the national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole.
Umahi who was reacting to a statement credited to the embattled Oshiohmole requesting him the Governor to render apology for allegedly refusing the faction of the party in the state to use the state stadium for their rally, described the statement as not just childish but pure blackmail aimed at scoring public sympathy.
Umahi has described Oshiomhole as a ‘blackmailer’ who could not fix problems in his party.
But rather warned him not to bring his devilish plot into the state.
Umahi, speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, described the statement as baseless and one of the propaganda of the APC whom he said has lost touch with the masses especially, in Ebonyi state.
Their scuffle started when on Thursday, a factional leader of APC in Ebonyi state, Pastor Eze Nwachukwu insisted on using Ebonyi Township Stadium for a mega rally, and said no one can stop him.
Nwachukwu had boosted that Ebonyi state government cannot stop the party’s mega rally slated to hold at PA Ngele Oruta Township stadium Abakaliki.
Request for Use of Stadium Turned Down Just few days to the rally the state government turned down the request to allow APC use the stadium.
Nwachukwu however maintained that venue for the rally remained the same asking members of the party to remain calm.
By Friday last week, the factional chairman disclosed to our correspondent to on phone, the plots by the state government to deny APC the stadium, venue for the rally.
He however vowed that nothing would stop them from using the venue.
His words: “There is no going back ,the rally must hold at the same Abakaliki Township Stadium tomorrow Saturday, we have met all the requirements, therefore, no man born of a woman will stop us.
Also, I’m asking our members not to panic because it is a peaceful rally”.
Nwachukwu reportedly stated categorically that neither Umahi nor his privies can stop APC from using the stadium for its rally.
He explained that the party applied for the use of the stadium following all the laid down procedures.
He said: “We officially applied for the stadium in line with laid down rules and clearance was given to the party to use the stadium for our mega rally holding on Saturday.
Deny us use of stadium, huge joke “For anybody to wake up and say that the venue is no longer available for the party to use, to us in APC is huge joke and we regard it as rumour.
“But if the report is correct and actually coming from the state government, all I will say is that no man can stop the rally from holding in the Abakaliki township stadium.
“The stadium was built and renovated with tax prayers’ money and owned by Ebonyi people irrespective of party affiliations.
“I want to urge the teeming party members and supporters to discountenance the said report as venue for our rally remains the Abakaliki stadium”.
Speaking in the same vein, another chieftain of the party, Egwu Chima, said that the report was a ploy to undermine APC in Ebonyi.
Chima reportedly said that the statement allegedly credited to Umahi was borne out of fear of the rising popularity of APC and desperation to emasculate the party.
According to him, the mega rally was aimed at receiving high profile defectors from the PDP, including senators, adding that PDP was jittery.
“The Governor, Chief Dave Umahi, knows that allowing APC to use the stadium for the mega rally where many members of his party are expected to announce their defection to APC amounts to committing political suicide.
“Though the stadium is a public facility, it is under the watch and control of the governor and he will not allow it to be used by a party that has repositioned to take over power from him,” he said.
Chima who noted that he predicted the development, however urged the state governor not to engage in actions that could generate political tension in the state.
“I want to urge the governor to shun acts capable of plunging the state into needless political crisis as the 2019 elections draw closer.
“The actions and utterances of key political actors can make or mar smooth and credible elections and electioneering activities in Ebonyi,”he added.
Uneasy calm The proposed rally which has caused uneasy calm and panic among members of both parties (APC and PDP) is where Senator Sonnie Ogbuoji , representing Ebonyi south, is expected to officially declared his intention to contest the gubernatorial poll under the platform of APC.
Blueprint gathered that the rally was originally planned by a faction of APC under the chairmanship of Dr Sylvester Nwambe, which is Senator Ucha’s faction, but was high jacked by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu’s faction.
But Umahi in a statement signed by his aide, Chief Press Secretary to Umahi, Emmanuel Uzor said: Oshiomole destroying Nigeria “It is very shameful for APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomole to have made the statement credited to him while in the state.
He has not disappointed Nigerians on his usual naked dance when he said Governor Umahi denied a faction of his party usage of the PA Ngele Oruta International Stadium which is undergoing reconstruction.
It became more childish for the National party chairman who had earlier called Governor Umahi on phone and informed him of his coming to the State to have made such ridiculous statement whereas he was aware of the decision of a faction of his party to shift the date for the rally to 11th August.
Oshiomole and Umahi have shared great friendship before this rally and as a sitting Governor, Umahi while in Edo state to conduct Governorship primary election of PDP in 2014 did not only pay a courtesy call on Oshiomole but had personal interaction as brothers despite their differences in political association, this is a pure example of political maturity exhibited by Umahi which APC lacks.
“One would have expected Oshiomole as a senior comrade to show respect to a sitting Governor if he was not hypocritical in his alleged relationship and tolerance for opposition but he decided to fly into Abakaliki, enjoyed the ambience of a serene environment and drove round a beautiful city with the best road network in the country and then mounted the podium and started spewing his usual political blackmail which he has been known for.
“More worrisome is his visible silence over the factions in his party in the state and his inability to fuse the divided party into one but has descended so low to demand apology from a sitting Governor over a Stadium that is under construction.
APC has been rejected by Nigerians and Ebonyians have no reason whatsoever to identify with a political party without known direction towards betterment of the country.
This is what Oshiomole should be concerned about and not waiting for apology from Governor Umahi because he will have to wait forever.” Uzor further maintained that APC through its national chairman owe Nigerians apology for misleading the masses and destroying the country.
Intensive security training at the stadium Instead of allow their political rival have the stadium for its rally, the Ebonyi state government went on a two-day intensive training for all members of its internal security outfit “Neighbourhood Security watch” to ensure adequate security within the state Senior Special Assistant to Governor Umahi on Internal Security, Dr.
Kenneth Ugbala, had on Thursday night disclosed to journalists after the state Executive Council meeting in Government House, Abakaliki, that state government approved for the training to take place at Pa Ngene Oruta township stadium .
The training which ended on Saturday, might have scuttled the proposed mega rally by the opposition APC as the stadium would not be available for it.
But shedding light why APC was denied use of the stadium, the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation Senator, Emmanuel Onwe, said “APC wrote two applications to use the Stadium on 4th of August and 11th of August and the governor approved 11th for APC to use the stadium for their rally .
The APC also applied to use the EBBC radio and television live which has also been approved and this will be subject tool because there are two factions and everyone seeing what is happening in Nigeria politics, there must be assurance that there would not destroy the most expensive structures at the stadium”.
With the tension created so far, will APC go ahead with its rally on August 11, having been frustrated from holing it on August 4? From all indications the battle for control of the political soul of Ebonyi state continues.