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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Abia Central Senatorial District candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, popularly known as Mama APC, have traded words over her membership of the APC.
The controversy followed a statement by the NDC claiming that Nwaogu is a member of the party.
Reacting, the Abia APC Publicity Secretary, Aguoru, said the party’s attention had been drawn to the NDC statement and insisted that Nwaogu remained a bona fide member of the APC.
Aguoru said the clarification was necessary “to put the records straight”, insisting that Nwaogu remained a member of the ruling party.
He said Nwaogu purchased the APC’s Senate nomination form and participated in the party’s senatorial primary election held on May 18.
“She scored 12,033 votes to emerge as the runner-up in that election conducted by the APC, with Hon. Erasmus Cishark, serving as the Returning Officer and Chairman of the APC Senatorial Primary Election Committee,” he said.
Aguoru further claimed that Nwaogu’s name was contained in the APC membership register submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on May 10, which he described as the deadline for submission of party registers.
He added that there was no record of her resignation from the APC.
“For the sake of emphasis, Senator Nwaogu’s name is contained in the party’s register submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on May 10, being the last day for the submission of party registers to INEC, and there is also no record of her resignation from the All Progressives Congress,” Aguoru said.
He added: “We are sufficiently aware that Mama APC, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, having served as a lawmaker, and an experienced one at that, understands the legal implications of double registration. We therefore have no reason to believe that she would consciously subject herself to such a situation.
“It is important to state categorically that all her registration details, including her membership card details, remain in our party’s database and in the database of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as a member of the All Progressives Congress.
“Let us repeat for the second time that at no time did our cherished Mama APC resign her membership of the All Progressives Congress.”
The Abia APC consequently warned the NDC against circulating what it described as misleading information inconsistent with records available to relevant authorities.
It also urged the NDC to refrain from creating confusion among members of the public where, according to the party, the facts were clear and verifiable.
Responding, however, Nwaogu’s media team urged Aguoru to focus on verifiable facts and substantive issues rather than what it described as personal attacks.
In a statement, the team questioned the basis of Aguoru’s criticisms and said any concerns regarding Nwaogu should be addressed through facts and issues that could be independently verified.
The media team also faulted what it described as Aguoru’s “excessive focus” on Nwaogu, urging the APC to devote more attention to presenting its candidates, programmes and policies to the electorate.
“Political disagreements should be centred on issues, records and ideas rather than personal attacks or claims that have not been substantiated.
“If Aguoru has genuine issues with Senator Nwaogu, he should present the facts and address the issues rather than resort to personal attacks and unsubstantiated claims,” the team said.
The Nwaogu camp added that its principal remained focused on her political activities and engagement with residents of Abia Central.
