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Sen. Anthony Agbo, the Director General of the Ogbuoji Campaign Council disclosed this at a news conference in Abakaliki on Wednesday.

He said that a number of factors were responsible for the abysmal performance of the party in the just concluded elections.

He said: “I, as the Director-General of the Ogbuoji Campaign Council with utmost humility and respect to all have decided to speak on the matter bearing no malice to none, but to provide our own version of answers to various questions asked by the people.

“Many, especially APC members and supporters have been asking questions and wondering what led to the party’s gross under performance at the elections in Ebonyi.”

Agbo said that the council immediately it was set up by Ogbuoji on Dec 2, 2018 swung into action and drew a campaign blueprint which it presented to the APC governorship candidate but it was never used.

“The council sat down to produce a comprehensive and detailed campaign blueprint which captured activities that were to be carried out at local government, ward, communities and village levels as well as individuals contacts and consultations.

“This was presented to Ogbuoji who told us that he was so preoccupied with arranging issues relating to the election at Abuja level and that we should keep it in view,” he said.

He added that Ogbuoji shunned all efforts made by the council, stakeholders and party leaders to bring genuine peace and reconciliation among House of Representatives and state assembly candidates whose tickets were changed in Abuja.

“After the APC primaries in the state, the names of several persons who won house of representatives and state assembly tickets were changed in Abuja.

“This generated a very volatile situation in the party that later gave rise to multiple litigations.

“The Council made several representations to Ogbuoji and party leadership in the state for the reversal of the damaging action but the appeal was not heeded.”

Agbo noted that the irreconcilable differences between Ogbuoji and Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science and Technology was also a blow to the party in the state and regretted that all efforts to bring the two leaders to a reconciliatory talk failed.

Agbo said that the minister was not happy with the manner the governorship primary was conducted in Ebonyi, particularly as it had to do with the lists of delegates from Ikwo and Ezza South Local Government Areas.

“Ogbuoji refused to attend a peace reconciliation meeting convened twice by Chief Martin Elechi and attended by key party leaders including the Minister at the prompting of the council,” he said.

The DG explained that the party did not campaign vigorously for election due to poor funding of the electioneering activities.

“We wish to state categorically that since the inauguration of the council till the last election held in March 9, that the council did not receive any money from the governorship candidate or from any other person or source.

“No single financial request presented by the council to Ogbuoji for purposes of the campaign no matter how big or how small was ever honoured.

“The party went into the election with only N2,580,000 released by Ogbuoji in the eve of the election,” Agbo added.

He, however debunked alleged insinuation that the APC governorship candidate was planted as a mole in the party by the PDP.

He also commended the electorate in the state for the 94,000 votes at the presidential election and 81,000 votes at the governorship polls in Ebonyi.

In a reaction, Ogbuoji said that he invested the best of time, resources and energy in the election process for both the governorship and presidential elections.

Ogbuoji, who spoke through Mr Ikenna Emewu, his media and publicity director, said the funding made was based on his ability.

“Contesting an election with an incumbent vying for the same position was a huge huddle.

“We did our best in prosecuting the election and it is a huge task to contest an election with an incumbent contesting in the same election.

“I funded the election to the best my abilities could sustain,” he said.

A supporter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) holds up the sign of President Muhammadu Buhari's re-election campaign [Twitter/@BuhariCentre]

he Sen. Sonni Ogbuoji Campaign Council for the 2019 governorship election has explained the reasons the All Progressives Congress (APC) lost in the 2019 general elections in Ebonyi.

Campaign council explains why APC lost Ebonyi elections

<h1>A Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki on Wednesday declared Sen. Sonni Ogbuoji winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election held in Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2018 in Ebonyi.</h1>

The court presided over by Justice Phoebe Ayua had on the last sitting adjourned the matter to March 6 for judgement.

Ayua, while delivering judgement said that the plaintiff had failed to prove his case beyond all reasonable doubt and therefore dismissed the suit.

“The plaintiff in this suit has failed to prove his case beyond all reasonable doubt and the case is hereby dismissed,” Ayua said.

Prof. Benard Odoh, former Secretary to Ebonyi State Government and first runner-up in the primary has challenged the outcome of the election which declared Sen. Sonni Ogbuoji as winner.

The suit was filed on Oct. 19, 2019 at the Federal High Court in Abakaliki.

Odoh alleged widespread fraud following alleged use of fake delegates list in the conduct of the primary election for Ikwo and Ezza South Local Government Areas.

Odoh also sought for a declaration that the use of fake lists or substitution of duly elected lawful delegates for the Ezza South and Ikwo Local Government Areas in the conduct of APC governorship primary contravened provisions of the electoral act.

The court presided over by Justice Phoebe Ayua had on the last sitting adjourned the matter to March 6 for judgement.

Court upholds Sen. Ogbuoji APC governorship candidate for Ebonyi

<h1>Mr Awosola Awotunde, the Ebonyi Commissioner of Police, has ordered investigation into an alleged attack on Mr Linus Ogazi, Technical Assistant to Gov. Dave Umahi of the state.</h1>

Ogazi, a technical assistant to the governor on Medium, Small Scale Businesses and Data Collection was allegedly attacked at the governor’s lodge, at Government House, Abakaliki on Thursday.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs Loveth Odah, reacting to the alleged attack told journalists in Abakaliki on Friday that she was in her office when she heard someone screaming and shouting, ‘I want to die’, ‘they have killed me.’

According to her, the man rushed to the police headquarters around 9.30 am screaming that he was attacked and that he wants to die but that he just wanted the police to be aware.

She said: ”As Public Affairs person whose duty is to assist those in distress, I met him and asked him what the problem was. He was sounding incoherent as though he had suffered a memory loss.

”I quickly called some of my colleagues and we used my vehicle to rush him to the hospital in order to save his life first before we ask him what happened.

”At the hospital, we paid for several laboratory tests including an X-ray.

”The CP has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Intelligence Investigation Bureau (SCIIB) to carry out timely investigation into the matter.”

Meanwhile, Ogazi, who narrated his ordeal to newsmen, said that he was invited to the lodge on appointment with the governor, upon his arrival, he was told to wait for the governor.

He said: ”On Feb. 17, I was invited to a meeting by the governor at his home town in Uburu but due to circumstance, I could not attend.

”Just yesterday, Feb. 21, through a text message, the governor summoned me to another meeting at the lodge by 8 am.

”I was at the lodge by 6 am and I was told by the Chief Security Officer that the governor was still sleeping that I should wait.

”By 8.15am I filled form and immediately I entered, the governor who was already seated, started accusing me of anti party, that I am supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC).

”It was to my surprise because I have been with them all through the local government area campaigns and have been working for the success of the PDP in the elections.

”The governor started unleashing threats on me and called some persons who joined him.

”I was ordered to lie down and face downwards. I asked them what was my crime and they said I was doing anti-party and not supporting the party’s Senatorial candidate from my Ebonyi North zone.

”The governor personally slapped me in the presence of some of his aides. It was after they jointly tortured me that he ordered his Aide-De-Camp to take me out.

”I had to rush into the Police Headquarters to make entry and was assisted by the Police to come here (hospital) for an urgent medical treatment.”

Ogazi added that there were attempts to allegedly inject him with substance that was unknown to him but that he resisted the move.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Uzo, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) has denied the alleged attack and described the allegation as cheap ‘blackmail’ and devoid of any iota of truth.

”Well, we all know the character of the young man in question; and I am speaking to you in dual capacity, one as his younger brother and as a spokesman for the government.

”He is a mischievous character that thrives in blackmail and cheap propaganda.

”He is a technical assistant to the governor, member of the PDP State Executive Committee and again the governor is not contesting for senatorial election and there is no way the governor should be having an issue over senatorial election.

‘”The allegation is part of his usual blackmail and political gimmicks to attract attention.

”There is no element of truth in the purported attack; it’s a farce, it exists only in his warped imagination and I urge the public to discountenance the allegation,” Uzo said.

He said that the governor is committed to providing adequate security to lives and property of every citizen of the state as well as promoting their welfare and well-being.

Ogazi, a technical assistant to the governor on Medium, Small Scale Businesses and Data Collection was allegedly attacked at the governor’s lodge, at Government House, Abakaliki on Thursday.

Police order investigation into alleged attack on Gov. Umahi’s aide

<h1>Chief Okenwa Uka, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi has urged youths in the state to support the re-election of President Muhammadu Buhari.</h1>

Uka, the Ebonyi Coordinator of the National Youth Campaign Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the call on Friday in Abakaliki in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He said that by re-electing the president for a second term, the youths would guarantee good governance in the country and the state.

He added that the victory of the APC’s presidential candidate in the Feb. 16 election is a task that must be achieved.

Uka, who is also the state Financial Secretary of APC, said that many youth-oriented programmes and policies of the present administration would be sustained with the re-election.

He noted that the administration’s ongoing war against corruption and the ease of doing business were benefitting the youths.

“The N-Power scheme and other social investment schemes of the present administration have encouraged the youths to engage in entrepreneural ventures.

“Nigerians are now very productive and exploring the vibrant business climate engendered by the unrelenting war against financial graft by Mr President.

“The youths are no longer into hooliganism, political thuggery, militancy and armed kidnapping due to the motivation and healthy business environment introduced by the government,” Uka said.

He extolled Mr Tony Nwoye, a member of the House of Representatives and the National Director of the National Youth Campaign Committee, for his resilience in mobilizing Nigerian youths to support the re-election of Buhari.

“Nwoye is a youth mobiliser and he believes that the re-election of Buhari will bring about the liberation of the youths of Nigeria and I share this vision. I am appealing to Ebonyi youths to massively vote Mr President for second term,” he said.

He emphasised the commitment of youths in ensuring victory for Buhari, Sen. Sonni Ogbuoji, APC governorship candidate in Ebonyi and other candidates of the party in the Feb. 16 and March 2 general elections.

“APC is now a phenomenon; APC is now in the lips of everybody including children and it is now everywhere you go.”

He commended Buhari for the new rail line project that would pass through Abakaliki from Port Harcourt, saying that the project would open the city for more commercial activities.

He said that by re-electing the president for a second term, the youths would guarantee good governance in the country and the state.

APC chieftain mobilises Ebonyi youths for Buhari’s re-election

<h1>President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday arrived Abakaliki in continuation of his presidential campaign tour of the 36 states of the federation.</h1>

Buhari arrived Abakaliki around 9.30 am amidst tumultuous welcome at the Nkwegu Military Cantonment where he was received by the Cantonment Commander, other security chiefs in Ebonyi and major chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Buhari, presidential candidate of the APC shortly on arrival paid a courtesy call on Chief Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi at the Government House in Abakaliki.

Mr Adams Oshiomhole, National Chairman of the APC, Dr Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment and Chief Rotimi Amaechi, Deputy Director of Buhari Campaign Organisation were among dignitaries that accompanied the President.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there was tight security in and around the Pa Oruta Ngele Township stadium, Abakaliki, venue of the presidential mega rally.

The president is expected to inaugurate a number of projects built by Sen Sonni Ogbuoji, APC governorship candidate in Ebonyi at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki before kicking off the rally at the stadium.

NAN also reports that a mammoth crowd of APC and Buhari supporters thronged the 8000-capacity Ngele stadium to welcome the president.

Chief Austine Edeeze, Chairman of the planning committee of Ebonyi presidential campaign in an interview with NAN expressed joy on the overwhelming crowd of APC supporters that turned out to receive the president.

"The unprecedented crowd that turned out to receive the president is an indication of his wide acceptance by the people of Ebonyi.

"I am confident that the rally will be a huge success and I am calling on Ebonyi people and South-East to vote en-masse for the re-election of Buhari in the February 16 presidential election."

Buhari, presidential candidate of the APC shortly on arrival paid a courtesy call on Chief Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi at the Government House in Abakaliki.

Presidential rally: Buhari arrives Abakaliki amidst tumultuous welcome

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