Nigeria Decides 2023: No plan to leave APC over failed guber ambition –Mbam, ex RMAFC boss

From Chijioke Agwu, Abakaliki

The immediate past Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation And Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Elias Mbam,  yesterday said there was no truth in the speculation that he was planning to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the way he was treated in his bid to pick the governorship ticket of the party in Ebonyi State.

Mbam had resigned his appointment at RMAFC to contest the APC gubernatorial primary election in Ebonyi.

But on the day of the primary, Mbam’s supporters were allegedly attacked and chased out of the venue which prompted him and his supporters to move to his campaign office in Abakaliki to conduct a parallel primary where he emerged the candidate of the party.

However on October 4th when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) published names and particulars of governorship candidates of political parties, Mbam’s name was not there. Instead, it was the name of his rival and Speaker of Ebonyi state House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru, that was published as the Ebonyi APC Governorship candidate.

The incident triggered speculation that Mbam was leaving the party.

But addressing his supporters in Abakaliki on Sunday, Mbam reaffirmed his loyalty and commitment to the APC.

Media Assistant to the ex RMAFC boss, Obinna Udenwe, who released a statement on the outcome of the meeting said: “today the 9th of October 2022, the former Chairman of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission, Engr Elias Mbam met and addressed key leaders of support groups and critical stakeholders of who have been instrumental to his gubernatorial project in the All Progressives Congress in Ebonyi state.

“At this meeting, Engr. Elias Mbam acknowledged the overwhelming support, solidarity, prayers and love expressed and accorded him by Ebonyi people across political, religious and social divides which metamorphosed into a strong movement, from the time he indicated interest to run for governor of Ebonyi State till now. He thanked Ebonyi people for this immeasurable solidarity and support.

“He also thanked the various support groups, his strategy teams and key stakeholders of Ebonyi state, for believing in his capacity to lead Ebonyi State, for their immense sacrifices, and for working hard to ensure that Ebonyi is led by one they believe would help actualize the Ebonyi dream of our founding fathers.”