The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Enugu State in the April 11 governorship election, Okey Ezea, on Sunday insisted that he was attacked by the party’s national vice chairman in the South East, Emma Eneukwu, over ministerial slot in the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration.

He said Mr. Eneukwu attempted to slap him in the presence of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, a senator, Chris Ngige; and other leaders of the party at a meeting in Abuja but that he used his hand to block his attacker. Mr. Ezea had in a text message to some journalists on Friday alleged that he was attacked by the national vice chairman.

The text reads: “Emma Eneukwu slapped me today because I told South East leaders that Nsukka has not been minister since 1999. He did this before Rochas, Ngige, Izenaso, J.O.J, General Eze, Ucha etc. I just said the truth and requested justice and equity in the affairs of our party and Enugu State. Emma wants to be minister by violence. Emma is from Udi LGA which has minister since 2007, including the incumbent, Chinedu Nebo. We must fight injustice and oppression. APC is change.” But Mr. Eneukwu denied the allegation, saying there was no such meeting.

Speaking in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES at the weekend, Mr. Ezea said the national vice chairman actually attempted to slap him but that he defended himself.

He said Mr. Eneukwu took offence when he suggested that his zone, Nsukka also called Enugu North Senatorial District, should fill the ministerial slot to be allocated to the state in the Buhari administration.

While the governorship candidate is from Nsukka zone, Mr. Eneukwu hails from the Enugu West Senatorial Zone.

“The guy attacked me. I didn’t want to engage him in a fight. I won’t do that. I did not make up the story. If you are in doubt go and ask Governor Rochas Okorocha or Julius Ucha, Chris Ngige, Izunaso and others that were there,” he said.

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