By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A youth group in Enugu State has slammed the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for comments on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
The Governor was accused of violating the nation’s Electoral Act over the posting of his posters in some locations in the city.
But the group, Enugu Youths Coalition, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr Edwin Obune, said Mr Egwuanyi never breached any law as the said posters do not have his implicit or explicit consent before it was pasted in the state.
Enugu Youths Coalition blasted Chairman of the APC in Enugu State, Mr Ben Nwoye, for the remarks.
“We want to educate Mr Nwoye that Governor Ugwuanyi breached no law as the said posters do not have his implicit or explicit consent before it was pasted in the state.
“Besides, the Governor, through his party, has already dissociated himself from activities of the group in a press statement issued by the Chairman of PDP in the state,” the statement said.
Speaking further, the group said, “On the issue of early campaign posters which the APC claimed it’s only in Enugu State that such action could take place, the coalition urged Mr Nwoye to take a trip to Lagos, Bauchi, Kastina, Kogi, Nasarawa, Yobe, among other APC states to see things for himself before passing such parochial judgment.”
The coalition however backed the group which posted Governor Ugwuanyi’s posters in the state, saying it is part of the freedom of expression guaranteed by the nation’s constitution.
It noted that the group, like the Enugu APC, which exercised their freedom of expression by endorsing President Muhammadu Buhari for re-election next year even when Mr President has declared intention to do so, also exercised their own freedom by urging the governor to seek re-election through their posters.
While promising to give crushing defeat to APC in the state, the coalition however advised Enugu APC to always think before it speaks on matters concerning Mr Ugwuanyi.
Adedapo Adesanya