By Raphael Ede
Enugu
An Enugu monarch, Igwe Spencer Ugwuoke, has said that chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that were defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were doing so for fear of being jailed for corruption.
The Ezimo traditional ruler, who commended the leadership of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, pointed out that the impact and effect of the quality administration in areas of development had created fear to the elite and they were defecting from party A to party B.
He said: “They are not defecting to defeat Ugwuanyi in election because he has made a record but, they are defecting with the fear of being locked up by the federal government anti-corruption agencies.
“That is why you see them defecting from PDP to the ruling APC to protect themselves from being arrested for corruption and misappropriation of funds because Ugwuanyi has done within two years what they could not do in eight years. Some of them had been jailed in the 80s and they don’t want second term.”
The monarch, who stated this at a press briefing on the state of governance at White House Chapel, Ezimo, in Enugu, at the weekend, called those in leadership position to emulate Ugwuanyi’s humility in leadership.
“The governor’s choice of the Enugu prison venue for his birthday celebration was the first of its kind by any serving governor since establishment of the prison and is an indication of his humility and preparedness to serve the rich, the poor and the societies downtrodden.
