Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
Prof Vitalis Ajumbe, an ex-Commissioner for Information and Tourism under former Governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha’s administration, has explained why he left the All Progressives Congress (APC) and quit active partisan politics.
Professor Ajumbe, a founding member of the governing APC in Nigeria, accused the national leadership of the APC of poor reward in a letter addressed to the incumbent Imo Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, and forwarded to reporters on Friday.
He claimed that the party has relegated him to the background because the national leadership has failed to reward him despite his enormous sacrifices and financial and moral support for the APC’s development.
The Southeast chieftain explained that he had only benefited from several ministerial and board appointments during the previous administration of former Governor, Rochas Okorocha in 2015 based on merit and roles he played to ensure the ex-governor emerged victorious during his second term election, listing the appointive positions as chairman of the Management Committee of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation, commissioner for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and commissioner for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Ajumbe also stated that the country’s ruling party has failed to reward him despite his enormous sacrifices for the APC in terms of juicy and befitting appointments since the current APC-led government in Nigeria took office.
The ex-commissioner, who also recalled his several private meetings with the current Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, in Owerri without meeting with him, bemoaned the fact that he spent over N5 million of his personal money attempting to keep appointments with the governor that he did not keep.
According to him in the letter, “your Excellency, for the assignments you assigned to me, you made it difficult for us to meet so that I could submit my reports.” You had invited me to meet with you in Owerri on several occasions. I’d spend my money on plane tickets, hotel rooms, and other logistics, and then spend weeks in hotels without meeting you. I’ve spent over N5 million of my own money trying to keep appointments that never happened.
“Your Excellency, I have decided to stay away from APC and party politics rather than spend my money.” I am aware that those who suffer for the APC are not rewarded in the end. On behalf of President Buhari, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, who was then National Chairman of the APC, appointed and inaugurated me as a member of the APC and Presidential Think Tank Committee on May 25, 2021. This is a non-paying advisory and image laundering position.
“As an elder, at 62 years old, my desires are limited.” I only work for the good governance of Imo state for the sake of my children, the unborn, and the people of Imo. With the network of national contacts I’ve built up over the years, I can get what I want without being a member of any political party.
“I want to continue working as a political consultant for those who recognize my worth.” As an elder statesman of this state, Imo, who desires its progress, I am always ready, if called upon, to assist in any way, free of charge, to add value to your administration that will provide good governance to my state (Imo).”
