Stakeholders of the Labour Party have uncovered what they term an unpatriotic attempt by a serving senator elected on the party’s platform to undermine the party. Labour Party Stakeholders, under the aegis of the Dignity in Labour Platform, while addressing journalists in Abuja, accused Senator Victor Umeh of working against the Labour Party.
The group, led by Dr. Chilokwu Onyeama, described Senator Victor Umeh as a “NEGATIVE VIRUS” who pollutes any organization he joins. Part of the press release quoted Onyeama as saying, “The political miscreant, nuisance, and emergency Senator Victor Umeh, who was roundly rejected by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) during the last senatorial district election, has intensified efforts to bite the fingers that fed him once again.
“Victor Umeh has never held a legitimate job in his life, except for the position of Personal Assistant to Chief Joseph Anene Okonkwo (Ofia-Duru), during which he enhanced his penchant for notoriety, treachery, and dubious skills. Onyeama further disclosed that Senator Umeh, who was rescued by the Labour Party from a shameful humiliation when he lost the APGA senatorial ticket, has now abandoned his ’emergency senatorial obligations’ for dangerous party politics, mobilizing underground support to destroy the Labour Party that saved him from national disgrace.
“Again, this attests to his nefarious record of biting the hand that fed him. Victor Umeh, the political miscreant, orchestrated the destabilization of the Labour Party and convinced Governor Alex Otti, from whom Umeh collected N2 billion in 2013, to give Abia State APGA governorship ticket against loyal party members like Chief Chike Udensi.
“Any money Umeh has earned today was acquired from public funds and through duping politicians over the years by selling party nomination forms for numerous imaginary elections that never took place. He is so fraudulent that he deceived both the old and young people interested in running for elections in APGA during his 16-year tenure as National Chairman. His greed is so extreme that he would even sink to any level for money, demonstrating his love of money above all else.
“This same character is behind the non-conduct of local government elections in Anambra State, using the situation to fleece aspirants. After collecting money from aspirants, he would use a proxy to sue the party, which has become his modus operandi. Sadly, some aspirants had to borrow money from banks and other financial institutions only to have their dreams shattered by Umeh.
“Despite his criticisms of Peter Obi, Umeh swallowed his pride and disgracefully accepted the Labour Party ticket out of desperation. Umeh is so dubious that, after friends contributed money for his daughter’s wedding in Lagos, he secretly had his security aide release tear gas into the hall to disperse his guests and cover his own misdeeds.
“The stakeholders also noted, ‘In further demonstration of his insatiable appetite for fraud and greed, Senator Victor Umeh, who obviously has no conscience, betrayed Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, whom he publicly vowed not to abandon regardless of political circumstances. After taking an oath of allegiance at Ojukwu’s grave, he abandoned Ojukwu and his APGA uniform, jumped to the Labour Party, and labeled APGA as a useless party, simply for a senatorial ticket. How else can a man be described as extremely desperate?
“This is the same man that Mr. Peter Obi paid N20 million every month for eight years. Her Excellency Dame Virgy Etiaba, during her brief tenure as Anambra State governor, continued this payment, and His Excellency Dr. Willie Obiano, unable to resist Umeh’s bad influence, increased the payment to N30 million monthly.
“Trouble began with the onset of Governor Charles Soludo’s administration when Soludo allegedly refused to continue these payments, deeming them unjustifiable exploitation of Anambra people’s money. At that point, Victor Umeh began acting recklessly before being rescued by the Labour Party to fill the gap for the party’s senatorial ticket within his constituency. Despite his criticisms of Peter Obi, Umeh disgracefully accepted the Labour Party ticket out of desperation.
“The stakeholders further accused Senator Umeh of working against the interests of Ndigbo by frustrating the aspiration of an Igbo man to become Inspector General of Police. Umeh was at the forefront of scheming to extend the tenure of the current Inspector General of Police, knowing well that the next in rank is an Igbo man and the extension of Egbotekun’s tenure would not benefit the Southeast.
“During the election of the Senate President, despite the expectation for Umeh, a professed Christian, to support a Christian Senate President given the country had already elected a Muslim President and Vice President, Umeh shamelessly accepted the role of Director of Finance for Senator Yari’s campaign for Senate President. This further demonstrates his penchant for money over the interests of the people. His choice of a Muslim Senate President was purely to position himself to siphon funds meant for the Senate.
“The group called on the National Leadership of the Labour Party to be wary of Umeh, whom they described as a serial betrayer ahead of the general elections. They also accused Umeh of hoarding the N200 million worth of rice given to each senator as part of the Presidential palliative program and other incentives.
“He hoarded the N200 million worth of rice given to senators for distribution to their constituents. When it came to Umeh’s allocation, he shared only a small amount of rice worth less than N5 million and pocketed the rest. We are calling on him to honorably resign and leave the Senate. There are young and vibrant individuals in Anambra Central who can do better than him. He has overstayed his relevance in the Senate, and we call on his constituents to initiate a recall process because he has become a liability to Ndi Anambra Central. It is time for Umeh to retire and give the younger generation a chance to make a difference, as he is becoming a hindrance to our progress.”
Peoplesmind
