Former Chairman of Ezeagu Local Government Area in Enugu State, Hon. Fred Chukwudi Ezinwa, has strongly condemned recent comment by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi against the immediate past Governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, describing it as baseless and reckless.
Ezinwa, in a press statement issued in Enugu on Saturday, expressed regrets that at a period when Nigeria’s political climate demands restraint, maturity and statesmanship, certain individuals occupying sensitive positions in the opposition PDP “have chosen to trade decorum for recklessness.”
He specifically cited Abdullahi’s comments during a live appearance on Arise Television “where he unjustifiably described the influence of the immediate past Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as having diminished” and went further to make an unfortunate claim that the former governor had “reduced himself to a subordinate” to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
According to Ezinwa, who was also Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Enugu Depot, such a statement coming from a national officer of the PDP, “is not only baseless but an unprovoked attack on the dignity of a respected statesman who has served both the party and the Nigerian nation with exceptional humility, discipline, and honor.”
“It is disturbing that a man entrusted with the responsibility of promoting the image and cohesion of his party would resort to public denigration of a former governor and national figure,” the former LG boss said.
The statement reads in part: “Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s legacy in governance and public service stands as a model of peace-driven leadership. As Governor of Enugu State, he prioritized unity, inclusiveness, and equitable development. His administration maintained one of the most peaceful atmospheres in the entire South-East, even at a time when other regions grappled with insecurity and political volatility.
“He championed rural development, took governance to the grassroots, and fostered coexistence among diverse political interests. He led without arrogance and governed with empathy, values that continue to earn him widespread admiration. Those who know Ugwuanyi understand that humility is not a weakness; it is a mark of strength and character.
“It is therefore shocking that a spokesman of the PDP, a party in which Rt. Hon. Ugwuanyi once played a major stabilizing role, would indulge in careless talk that undermines a man who contributed immensely to its success, both in Enugu State and at the national level.
“True leadership is not measured by loudness or transient influence but by the enduring impact one leaves behind. Rt. Hon. Ugwuanyi’s calm demeanor and refusal to engage in political mudslinging demonstrate his maturity and deep sense of responsibility. By contrast, Dr. Abdullahi’s remarks reveal poor emotional intelligence and a failure to appreciate the ethics of public communication.
“Criticism within any political organization should be constructive and grounded in facts, not designed to ridicule senior figures who have paid their dues in service. The role of a Deputy National Publicity Secretary is to build bridges, not burn them.
“When a serving national officer uses a public platform to embarrass a two-term governor and former ranking member of the National Assembly, it sends a wrong signal to the public and diminishes the moral standing of the institution he represents.”
Ezinwa, therefore called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP to review the conduct of Dr. Abdullahi and take appropriate disciplinary action to preserve the sanctity of party communication, adding, “the NWC must reassert that respect for elders, consistency in loyalty, and unity of purpose remain essential values in politics.”
Continuing, the former Council boss, said: “No careless television comment can erase the fact that Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi remains one of the most humble, humane, and peace-loving political figures to emerge from the South-East. His leadership style, rooted in calmness and consultation, has become a reference point for conflict resolution and inclusive governance.
“His name resonates with ordinary citizens whose lives were touched through his people-oriented projects, from rural road networks and educational empowerment programs to community peace-building initiatives that earned Enugu the reputation of being one of the safest states in Nigeria during his tenure.
“It is this legacy that millions of Nigerians remember, not the fleeting statements of those seeking relevance in the media space.
“Let it be clearly stated that Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s political influence is not anchored on noise or flamboyance, but on integrity, service, and the enduring goodwill he enjoys among his people. He does not need to reply to provocations, because his record speaks louder than words.”
As a strategic stakeholder who once occupied a position of trust in Enugu State and a ‘proud beneficiary’ of Ugwuanyi’s visionary leadership, “I, Hon. Fred Ezinwa Chukwudi, strongly condemn Dr. Abdullahi’s remarks and urge all right-thinking Nigerians, including members of the opposition, to reject such divisive tendencies. Even in political opposition, respect for elders and civility in discourse should never be compromised.”
Ezinwa, therefore, advised political actors across parties to move with mutual respect, uphold democratic values, and focus on the greater goal of national unity and progress, stressing that history “will continue to vindicate Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as a man of peace, principle, and purpose, a leader who governed not for self, but for service.”
