Uzodimma Is Competent to Lead Tinubu’s South-East Campaign — Ogbonnaya

An elder statesman and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State, Chief Charles Ogbonnaya, has cautioned politicians from outside the South-East against what he described as undue interference in the affairs of Ndigbo, particularly in political matters.

Ogbonnaya was reacting to comments attributed to Senator Adams Oshiomhole questioning the competence of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to lead President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the South-East.

Although Oshiomhole has reportedly clarified his remarks, Ogbonnaya described the comments as an affront to the people of the region, insisting that the leadership of the South-East should be determined by its people.

The former Abia State Commissioner said it had become a recurring practice for politicians from other parts of the country to interfere in the political affairs of the South-East.

Ogbonnaya questioned Oshiomhole’s comments on Uzodimma, urging the former Edo State governor to focus on political issues in his own state.

He said: “Let him first remove the log in his eyes before talking about the speck in other people’s eyes. He should concentrate on his own problems, including his running battle with the Senate President and the NNPC.”

The Evulogu Ibeku traditional title holder also defended Governor Uzodimma’s political credentials, noting his contributions to the APC’s electoral successes in Imo State and his efforts towards President Tinubu’s re-election.

Ogbonnaya said Uzodimma had played a significant role in strengthening the APC’s presence in the South-East and had worked with other stakeholders to mobilise support for the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He described Uzodimma as a “reliable and competent leader in Igboland,” adding that Ndigbo were behind his leadership of the Tinubu campaign in the region.

Ogbonnaya urged Oshiomhole to concentrate on Edo State and desist from interfering in the affairs of the South-East.
He warned that the people of the region would resist attempts by outsiders to use Igboland as a political launch pad or dictate its political leadership.