The Media Aid to His Excellency, Right Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Chibuike Onyeukwu, has on Wednesday, September 28, released a statement clarifying the claims making rounds that Ihedioha referred to Peter Obi’s supporters as saboteurs.

In his statement, he noted that Ihedioha respects plurality of opinion and choices, and was only asking his party members to refrain from acts they are inimical to the success of the People’s Democratic Party.

The Statement reads:

“Few days ago, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON, on the invitation of his kinsmen, was in Accra, Ghana to celebrate this year’s Iri Ji festival with the Mbaise Community.”

“As a founding member and one of the leaders of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, he seized the opportunity of that visit to address PDP issues nationally but particularly in Imo State and assuage the anxiety of the members his party who have been apprehensive of the developments within the party.”

“In doing so, he declared what at best is the insouciant attitude and worse, the outright sabotage of some acclaimed party leaders who are engaging in acts that are inimical to the success of the PDP, especially in the Southeast by working in cahoots with the other parties. He was only talking about members of his own political party.”

“For clarity purposes, His Excellency, neither referred to members of any other political party, especially the Labour Party as saboteurs. He only spoke in context of the PDP and the emphasis was on the need for members of his party to remain consistent and committed.”

“It is inconceivable that he will refer to anybody who is supporting Mr Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, his long time friend, with whom he shares close political affinity and has utmost respect for, as a saboteur.”

“It is unfortunate that his well-intentioned speech which addressed the specific issue of happenings within his own political party was, again, manipulated by fifth columnists to suit their mischievous scheme of bringing him on a collision with Mr Peter Obi, whose unwavering political philosophy of “Taking back Nigeria” from the draconian stronghold of the failed ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, he wholeheartedly shares.”

His Excellency respects the aspirations and passions of members of other political parties, even as he remains committed to the cause of his own political party and it is not his character to cast aspersions on those who hold contrary political opinion.”