Group reacts to the gale of defections in Enugu north, warns Edeoga and others.

BRIDGE CONSORTIUM REACTS TO GALE OF DEFECTIONS IN ENUGU NORTH,  WARNS CHIJIOKE EDEOGA

By Clement Obinwa

A flagship pan Nsukka socio-cultural organization; Bridge Consortium has reacted to  gale of defections by elected public officers in Enugu North senatorial district, especially those involving members of the House of Representatives.  In a press conference addressed by its  National Publicity Secretary  Dr Luke Agbo today in Enugu and which came barely a week after the organization condemned in strong terms, the worsening insecurity in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, Bridge Consortium described as unacceptable and shameful the ease with which elected public  office holders in the zone defect to other political parties. This according to the organization, the public officers  do without the slightest compunction and without first interfacing with the people,  who elected them, to seek  their approval before doing what they're doing.

The pan Nsukka socio-cultural organization in the press conference, made it clear  that while it has zero interest in siding with any  political party, (except those which offer gubernatorial tickets to  Nsukka sons or daughters)  having become  a mere transit vehicle plying  the  political landscape and devoid of any ideological leaning,  it  cares about the wanton abuse of the people's sacred mandate thanklessly given  and which are being treated with disdain. On why Nsukka land which was hurt the most in the 2023 gubernatorial election is the one witnessing the most  defections, the Public Relations Officer said: 

"It's shameful that it's only in Nsukka that these defections are rampant. From what we've gathered, no single member of House of Representatives from Enugu zone has defected to any other political party.  That shows respect for the sensibilities of the people who elected them. They're still in their original political parties, monitoring the mood of the people  and gauging their temperature. Not so for  Nsukka legislators  at both state and national levels. They're their own lords, jumping ship as they like and sending the offensive message that having gone in, the people's approval no longer matter as they would always figure out a way to return, employing their contracts and resources.  They're quite wrong. Our message for them is simple. Having not sought and obtained approval from the people before embarking on their current dance of shame, all those affected are serving their very last terms in office and will not return.  This, they can take to the bank.  It's so  because sovereignty belongs to the people and not to any governor,  government, institution or authority. The people will no longer stand by and watch these unworthy opportunists take them  for granted"

On the activities of Chijoke Edeoga who's alleged to be actively involved in attempting to dismantle Labour Party structures in Enugu North Senatorial district, the group's spokesman has this to say at the press conference; 

"What a shame! How are the mighty fallen!  We hear that he's been turned into an errand boy to  Governor Mbah with a mandate to collapse Labour Party structures into those of the PDP especially in Enugu North. We also have a message  for the former governorship candidate, turned  errand boy. He will not be able to achieve the task given to him by his Nkanu master because Nsukka people, having  known his true colour,  have already rejected him and now treat him as a hireling.  No one wants to have anything to do with him anymore, since his heart- breaking betrayal.  Chijioke Edeoga is now in the same category with former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, avoiding public functions and staying all by themselves. Even when they attend  functions, they're isolated as  no one wants to have a handshake with them, let alone exchanging pleasantries. Governor Mbah is a smart guy and has really succeeded in rubbishing Chijoke Edeoga. He's down and out. I think those who sent him on the  Nsukka  errand should be more concerned about his safety than anything else" 

When asked whether the organization has any plan to stop him from continuing with what he's doing,  the spokesman stated;

"No, there's absolutely no need to worry about Edeoga as the people now avoid him like a plague.  Chijoke Edeoga you knew before  his betrayal a couple of weeks ago, is not the same person today. The glory has since left him. Again, let me correct one impression.  The fact that reckless politicians are jumping ship doesn't mean that the people are jumping with them.  Nonetheless, we as an organization warn Chijioke Edeoga to steer clear of Enugu North,  not being his Senatorial district,  in his own interest. He succeeded in fooling Nsukka people once but will not succeed twice.  He  should be more concerned about his own Senatorial district ( Enugu East)  where he should be working hard to actualize his fleeting senatorial ambition.  That's if his ticket  agreement with Mbah is still subsisting and not alread lost to intrigues, orchestrated by the same man who manipulated him"  Dr Agbo stated.

On the issue of abolition of the Enugu State governorship zoning formula, the spokesman reiterated the position of the organization thus;

"That's long settled. Zoning is dead and buried. However, it's not business as usual. While Nsukka people are expected to contest and win all available political positions in 2027, it's not open to everyone.  Only those who have proven track record of trust and who've been thoroughly profiled, will enjoy the support of the people going forward.  Those still intending  to use Nsukka's name to advance their selfish political interests only to dump her after achieving victory, as did Ugwuanyi and Edeoga,  will be disappointed. We've had enough betrayals already " Dr Agbo concluded.