Ikenga to Adebutu: Concentrate on your shaky political ambition  

The spokesperson of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has urged the factional governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ladi Adebutu, to concentrate on his shaky ambition instead of sinking with the embattled national chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu. 

Ugochinyere, who is the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Ideato Federal Constituency in Imo State, described Adebutu’s outburst against party chiefs calling for Ayu’s exit as misplaced. 

It will be recalled that Adebutu recently urged the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and other party members to leave the party if they cannot work with Ayu. 

Wike and five other PDP state governors as well as some other leaders of the party, including Chief Olabode George, and Ugochinyere have been calling on Ayu to resign  in order for a new national chairman to emerge from another zone. 

But Adebutu said party members against Ayu can either abide or leave to go and form their own party. 

Reacting to his position in a statement on Sunday, Ugochinyere said only enemies of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, and his ambition will insist that Ayu should remain in power despite the outcry against him. 

While describing Adebutu’s utterance on the matter as unwarranted, the opposition coalition spokesperson warned him that party politics is different from sports gambling which is his area of specialisation. 

He added that leaving his governorship campaign to insult party chieftains  because of Ayu has portrayed Adebutu as  a joker who is not capable of handling a governorship position. 

The statement read, “It is funny how political neophytes are quick in jumping into the fray to make comments on issues they know little or nothing about. 

“The display of crass ignorance was what played out with the statement credited to Adebutu on the leadership crisis rocking the PDP. 

“How can a man known only for his gambling business be presenting himself as an authority in party politics? 

“With his shaky governorship ambition in Ogun State, does Adebutu think licking Ayu’s boots is what will save him? 

“I urge Adebutu to face his governorship campaigns and avoid sinking politically with Ayu. 

“No party man who wishes that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar wins the next presidential election will encourage Ayu to hang on to power. So, with his outburst, Adebutu has revealed himself as Atiku’s enemy. 

“Adebutu should watch his utterances because betting business which he is known for is different from politics. 

“Supporting a sinking party chairman openly like Adebutu did only portrayed him as a political gambler. This, clearly, is not good for his political ambition.” 

Ugochinyere added that Adebutu cannot win a governorship race by insulting people because of Ayu  like a man in a gambling shop. 

He said the most reasonable thing to do is for Adebutu to first secure his shaky governorship ticket before turning into Ayu’s hired mouthpiece. 

He concluded, “I make bold to say that Adebutu does not have the capacity to meddle in Ayu-must-go battle because politics is not betting business. 

“Let me also warn him that my name and those of Wike, Ortom and others should not come out of his mouth again. 

“PDP politics is not conducted in betting shops. It is not about  gambling or lotto  business. 

“Since you have decided to play lotto with your guber ambition by attacking those opposed to Ayu, do not drag us into such.”