APC Stakeholders in Igbo Etiti Disown Enugu Ex-Speaker Over Remarks on SEDC

The leadership and key figures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State have distanced themselves from former state assembly speaker, Hon. Eugene Odoh, following his recent remarks regarding the reconstitution of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

Odoh, in a television interview, claimed to speak on behalf of APC stakeholders in the Enugu North Senatorial District, accusing the party leadership in the state of undermining the zone in the SEDC appointments. He further suggested that the zone had been neglected in the process.

During a press briefing in Enugu on Monday, APC leaders from Odoh’s home area of Igbo Etiti rejected his statements, accusing him of attempting to score political points for personal gain. They emphasized that Odoh, who was reportedly expelled from the APC in 2023 for alleged anti-party activities, had no authority to represent the party at either the state or local government level.

Speaking on behalf of the APC in Igbo Etiti, the LGA chairman, Simon Attach, expressed dissatisfaction with the exclusion of their kinsman from the restructured SEDC board. However, Attach also called for fairness to be restored to the process for the people of the region.

“We are not pleased with the recent changes in the SEDC nominations. The original nominations were balanced, with representatives from both the Enugu West and Enugu North zones, namely Barrister Ugochukwu H. Agballah and Dr. Daniel Ugwuja Danigold,” Attach stated.

He continued, “Unfortunately, the list was altered, and the sole nominee from Enugu North (Nsukka Zone) was replaced by a known PDP figure, Hon. Toby Okechukwu from Enugu West.”

“We firmly support the initial nominations made by the South East APC leadership under Senator Hope Uzodimma,” Attach declared.

He further criticized Odoh, saying, “How can a man from Nsukka oppose the nomination of his own kinsman, Dr. Daniel Ugwuja, who represents the entire Nsukka zone in the SEDC? Hon. Eugene Odoh’s actions are self-serving and intended solely to gain attention and a potential federal appointment through backdoor channels. His interference is a political maneuver with no foundation in reality. The era of reaping benefits without contributing has passed.”