PDP trying to reap where it did not sow – Sobotie
Victor Lewis
Against the backdrop of a recent frivolous celebration by some PDP members in Onicha Ugbo in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State to the effect that one Mr. Laurence Chukwudi Izegbu, a known PDP member from the area has been appointed as the Executive Director Re-Integration Presidential Amnesty Funds, the APC leadership in the State has stoutly debunked the claim, describing it as fake and unfounded.
It would be recalled the news of the fake appointment has been trending in some social media platforms wherein some persons believed to be avowed leaders of the PDP in the area were in celebrating mood, congratulating Mr. Izegbu just as they expressed appreciation to Chief Barr. (Mrs.) Josephine Ada Kachikwu for allegedly being behind the appointment.
One of the releases posted in one of the social media platforms by one Anizor Austin Nwanne reads: “Congratulations to Mr Laurence Chukwudi Izegbu, for his New appointment as the Executive Director Re-Integration Presidential Amnesty Funds and also am using this medium to appreciate Chief Barr. (Mrs) Josephine Ada Kachikwu, For Recommending An Onicha Ugbo Son.” The post contained the photo of Mr. Izegbu with red cap, fielding questions from newsmen.
However, in a terse press release personally signed by the State party chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, the party noted that at no time did the Presidency made such appointment nor announced same.
The APC State chairman disclosed that the party has done thorough due diligence and found out that no such appointment was approved from the presidency or any other government quarters for that matter, adding that announcements of such appointments from the presidency are normally released by the SA to the President on Media and communication, Chief Ajuri Ngelari.
“It has come to the attention of the leadership of Delta state APC of a sinister plot orchestrated by some prominent members of PDP in Delta State to fraudulently appoint their cronies into positions of authority at the Federal level even when they are opposed to the APC led “Renewed Hope” agenda of the Federal Government under H E Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
“On Wednesday, the 17th of July, 2024, some PDP leaders from Aniocha North LGA to be precise, connived and deceitfully announced and celebrated the appointment of one of their known members, Chukwudi Izegbu as Executive Director Reintegration funds in the Presidential Amnesty Programme Office.
“It is important that I clear the air that there was no such appointment from the Presidency as fraudulently announced and celebrated by Chukwudi Izegbu and his co-travellers.
“Concrete verification was carried out from all necessary quarters and it was clear that no such appointment was approved from the office of the Presidency or any other governmental quarters”, he noted.
Sobotie challenged Mr. Izegbu and his PDP day-dreamers to make public the appointment letter or any other document to show he was appointed by the President to such position.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Mr Izegbu and his PDP accomplices are hereby challenged to produce the official appointment letter or any other document to that effect to show that the said Izegbu was actually appointed by the President to the position he claimed.
“As generally known, all appointments made so far by the President have always been released by the SA to the President on Media and communication, Chief Ajuri Ngelari. However, in this case and over 72 hours after, no statement of such has been issued from the Presidency or the Presidential Amnesty Programme’s office”, Sobotie added.
The chairman expressed utter disappointment that the PDP in Delta State, has refused to be contented with their position in the State, adding that they have equally refused to remove their big eye from the government of H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom they worked against in 2023 election.
He noted that on several occasions, President Tinubu had emphasized his desire to appoint only competent and qualified Nigerians into the MDAs and Commissions in his government, adding that the President has also expressed priority for leaders and loyal members of the party who jointly contributed to his election.
“To this end, the APC Delta seriously frown at such a despicable act of desperation by members of Delta State PDP to reap where they did not sow. The President, H.E Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has reiterated in a number of occasions, that only competent and known APC leaders will be given appointments into the various MDAs and Commissions.
“Let me use this opportunity to assure our members and teeming supporters across the State whose loyalty was already waning due to these type of political gangsterism and ugly occurrences that President Tinubu understands the sacrifices of all dedicated members which led to his victory and as such, will not abandon them.
“Furthermore, Deltans should be wary of the antics of these men and women who have thrown morality to the wind as they gather in deceit just to reap where they did not sow”, he stated.
Sobotie also assured loyal and committed members of the party in the State to be patient, adding that the government has not abandoned them, just as he said that the National chairman of the party, H.E. Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is working in tandem with the President to ensure that “only known, committed and competent party members will be appointed to contribute their own quota in the rebuilding of our nation in line with the Renewed Hope mantra of this administration and never again will such desperate hawks find their way through the backdoor at our own detriment”.
He however, declared that the doors of the APC is open for genuine lovers of democracy and want to be part of the Renewed Hope agenda of the President to join the fast moving train of development.
“Moreover, the doors of our party remains open to all genuine lovers of progressive politics to come in, contribute in building the party and at the end, get their merited rewards”, he concluded.
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