Ude Oko Chukwu, the former deputy state lead representative of Abia State, has faced criticism for disclosing the identities of those he assisted in obtaining political, pensionable, and permanent positions in the state.
For reportedly adding some party members’ names to the list without their permission, his previous party, the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP, has threatened to take him to court.
Oko Chukwu, who left the PDP for the LP last month, listed the people he hired for positions in Abia and Federal agencies, the empowerment programs he oversaw, the school, water, and road projects he brought in, and the cars he provided to a few Abia traditional leaders.
He clarified that he decided to release the names of the people and his other achievements to debunk the claims by some politicians who accused him of achieving nothing as a legislator and Deputy state lead representative.
The PDP chapter in Abia State, however, is not happy about the 350 names that were published and has instructed the former Deputy state lead representative to take immediate steps to stop the publishing or risk legal action.
A statement signed by Abia PDP Chairman, Abraham Amah on Tuesday accused the former Deputy state lead representative of claiming personal ownership of the appointments, arguing that such undermines institutional integrity and demeans due process.
He stated that “if necessary, the party will take proper legal and disciplinary steps to defend its members” and urged the former Deputy Governor to issue an immediate apology to those whose identities were published without their knowledge, including some PDP members.
“Jobs in the civil service, judiciary, tertiary institutions, and the State agencies are not gifts from politicians but the lawful rights of qualified citizens,”stated PDP Chairman Abraham Amah.
