An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, has refuted claims that he endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming election in Imo State.
A statement by Ararume’s senior special assistant for Legal and Public Affairs, Barrister Uche Anyanwu, said the assertions were baseless and merely the handiwork of individuals with malicious intent.
He said the news aims to tarnish Ararume’s reputable standing.
He said that the publications were meant to impugn Araraume’s integrity and a calculated attempt to mislead the peace-loving people of Imo State, and his supporters while asking the general public to disregard them and join him in efforts to bring development and progress to the state.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of Senator Ifeanyi Ararume has been drawn to the publications making rounds in the sections of the media that he has thrown his support behind the PDP governorship candidate for the Imo state governorship election.
“Senator Ararume hereby reiterates unequivocally that he is a bonafide member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and most recently was the Director of Trade and Economic Affairs (South) of the APC presidential campaign council (PCC), and has been fully engaged and in support of all APC activities at the national level.
“He has not made any pronouncements concerning any candidate in the Imo state governorship elections but reserves the right to endorse or not to endorse any candidate of his choice at the appropriate time, which is within his rights to decide.
“What is paramount to Senator Ararume is the safety of the good people of Imo state, their welfare, the ability to carry out their lawful business without fear of molestation, and the effective delivery of the dividends of democracy, which includes preservation of institutions of good governance in Imo state.
“The rumours circulating are the fabrication and the work of mischief makers, who have always thought that the only way to advance their political fortunes in APC is to malign the name of Senator Ararume.
“When the APC party was being built and funded between 2014/2015 and supported to become victorious at the state and national levels, these individuals who have never delivered on any assignments given to them under the party were nowhere near the party.
“The same rumour merchants and their sycophants have never brought any real victory to the APC as a party, they only thrive on propaganda and divisive rhetorics.
“These divisive individuals should be advised to mind their business, focus on their immediate challenges, and leave Senator Arararaume alone.
“Finally, the said publications should be disregarded as the story is not the true representation of facts on the ground”
