Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Senator representing Ebonyi Central senatorial zone, Obinna Ogba, has said he has no plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party, contrary to insinuations in some quarters.
Ogba had contested the governorship ticket of the PDP, but lost to Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii following the Supreme Court ruling on October 21, 2022, which recognised the latter as the duly elected governorship candidate of the party.
He spoke to journalists on Saturday, in Abakaliki, saying, “The outcome of the judgment may not be what we wanted or what we worked hard for and I am sorry that we didn’t win this legal tussle for the values we share and vision we had for Ebonyi State and Ebonyians.”
The PDP chieftain, however, said he felt fulfilled and grateful to God Almighty for the rare opportunity offered to him.
He also thanked God that no life was lost throughout the political tussle.
“I will always be grateful to God almighty that though the just-concluded political differences laced with legal tussle took our time but not our lives.
“It dragged our patience and at times hung our emotions to the level of tension but it never led to flexing of muscles in a show of brutality not to talk of the death of a single soul,” he said.
On his political stand ahead of 2023 general election, Ogba said, “I was first a human being before venturing into politics and I am a believer in politics of greater good for greater number of our people and that is what the focus in the days ahead will be. Ebonyi people deserve peace, welfare and happiness.
“In every contest the human plan is always to win but nature always has a way of letting us win some and lose some most times for a better alternative.”
Ogba also disclosed that he had forgiven “those who in any way or manner willingly betrayed our just cause.”
According to him, “lessons have been learnt, more knowledge acquired and who knows what God has driven away from us intentionally to our own disbelief, and the things he has in abundance for us ahead of us.”
He further said, “I remain eternally indebted for the support willingly offered to me by my supporters, I thank the Party Executives from National, Zonal, State, Local Government Areas and Ward Executives who believed in our Vision and Brand. I thank various Christian heads for holding the fort and ensuring that while the struggle lasted, we were strong in faith. I won’t take the platform given to me by the Peoples Democratic Party thus far for granted.
“In all, I passionately hold the Nigerian Judiciary to a high esteem. I agree with the words of My Lord Justice Oputa, ‘We are final, not because we are infallible, we are infallible because we are final.’
“From the depths of my heart, the strides and efforts of my supporters will remain the best and well preserved in my political memory and history. Thank you for your patience, prayers, good intentions and well-thought plans,” Ogba said.
