The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has faulted the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Debo Abdullahi, for his recent remarks against former Enugu State governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Abdullahi, while speaking on Arise TV earlier in the week, claimed that Ugwuanyi’s political relevance had waned in Enugu State, describing him as having “reduced himself to a personal assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.”
The statement sparked outrage from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, whose National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, condemned Abdullahi’s comments as “baseless and disrespectful.”
In a statement, Okwu said Abdullahi appeared to be “suffering from selective amnesia” or deliberately ignoring Ugwuanyi’s long-standing political influence in Enugu State.
“Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as governor, recorded the highest percentage of votes ever witnessed in Enugu State during his second-term election in 2019 — a feat that may be difficult for anyone to surpass,” Okwu stated.
He added that Ugwuanyi’s calm and unassuming nature should not be mistaken for weakness or declining influence.
“Two years after leaving office, Gburugburu still commands immense respect and admiration among the people. It is, therefore, illogical and unfounded for the PDP spokesman to suggest otherwise,” he said.
Okwu further alleged that Abdullahi’s comments were motivated by Ugwuanyi’s recent defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside Governor Peter Mbah.
“We know where his anger is coming from. The PDP is in distress over losing such influential figures to the APC. The party should blame itself for neglecting the South-East, despite relying on the region for years,” he said.
The Ohanaeze youth leader reaffirmed the group’s support for Ugwuanyi and Governor Mbah, insisting that their political decisions reflected the realities within the region.
“We stand firmly behind Ugwuanyi and Mbah. Our confidence in Ugwuanyi’s leadership remains unwavering,” Okwu added.
