NEWS
Sen. Nkechi Nwaogu’s Camp Fires Back at Abia APC, Says ‘Put Your House in Order Before Dragging Us’
The political battle in Abia State has taken a fiery turn, with the media team of Senator Nkechi Nwaogu launching a blistering response to a statement questioning her political affiliation and challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) to resolve what it described as problems within its own ranks.
The reaction followed a statement by Abia APC State Publicity Secretary, Uche Aguoru claiming that Senator Nwaogu remains a member of the APC.
But Nwaogu’s media team has rejected the claim outright, describing it as false and questioning why APC supporters are devoting attention to a politician they insist has already left the party.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Victor Kelechi Onyendi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Senator Nwaogu, the camp effectively turned the spotlight back on the APC, asking the party to “put its house in order” before attempting to drag Nwaogu into its political controversies.
The statement accused Aguoru of being more preoccupied with Senator Nwaogu’s political movement than with developments within his own party.
According to the Nwaogu’s camp, the APC should first explain the reported conduct of some of its own candidates who have allegedly publicly distanced themselves from the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Eric Opah and endorsed another candidate.
That development, the statement argued, raises a fundamental question about the state of cohesion within the APC.
“Before the APC begins dragging Senator Nwaogu, perhaps it should first address the conduct of some of its own candidates who have publicly distanced themselves from the party’s governorship candidate and endorsed another candidate,” the statement said.
It then delivered the punchline: “That raises a simple question: who is really facing a crisis of party cohesion?”
The response also pushed back against what it described as continued attempts to portray Nwaogu as being politically tied to the APC.
The former senator, who is contesting the Abia Central Senatorial seat on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), was described by her camp as a major political figure whose name continues to attract significant attention in Abia’s political space.
The Nwaogu team suggested that the repeated references to her by APC supporters may itself demonstrate the political significance they attach to her candidacy. But on whether Nwaogu remains an APC member, her camp left no room for ambiguity.
“Senator Nwaogu has left the APC, and she is not returning,” it declared.
The statement maintained that Nwaogu has chosen the NDC as her political home and is actively participating in the party’s political activities.
“She has chosen the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), where she is respected, accepted and actively participating in the political process,” the statement said.
The Nwaogu camp also took a direct swipe at what it portrayed as the APC’s continued fixation on her candidacy, suggesting that her political strength in Abia Central may be behind the attention.
“Perhaps what concerns some people is that Senator Nwaogu is widely regarded by her supporters as the candidate to beat in the Abia Central Senatorial election,” the statement said.
It then challenged the APC to stop concentrating on Nwaogu and instead face its own political responsibilities.
“Instead of spending valuable time attacking Senator Nwaogu, we advise the APC to concentrate on presenting its candidates and addressing its internal political differences,” the statement added.
The message from Nwaogu’s camp was unmistakable: she has moved on from the APC, and attempts to keep her name entangled in the party’s affairs will not alter her current political direction.
“Senator Nkechi Nwaogu has moved on. The NDC is her political home, and she remains focused on Abia Central and the people she seeks to represent,” the statement concluded.
The latest exchange is likely to intensify the political contest surrounding Abia Central as rival camps sharpen their messaging and seek to consolidate support ahead of the election.
For the Nwaogu camp, the issue is settled: Senator Nwaogu is contesting under the NDC, and rather than respond to what it considers distractions, the campaign says its attention is firmly fixed on Abia Central and the electorate.