A freelance journalist who broke the story of factional APGA (All Progressives Grand Alliance) National Chairman, Sir Victor Umeh’s outburst wishing that his home Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State had died in last Tuesday Arik plane crash that never was, has further exposed the embattled politician.

Reacting to Sunday’s exclusive story on the incident by News Express, Sir Umeh had dismissed the writer, Mazi Odera (Oderaigbo), as a China-based Internet paid hacker recruited by Governor Obi’s senior media aide Valentine Obienyem to paint the governor’s perceived political opponents black.

But Odera in a written reaction sent to News Express denied Umeh’s allegation. He disclosed how he has for years also worked for Umeh and went ahead to paint a picture of him as an unreliable person. Among other things, Odera accused Umeh of deceiving Emeka Ojukwu Jr. to quit Obi’s cabinet, of being a political prostitute and of failing to account for some APGA funds in his possession. Below is Odera’s detailed reply:

“I am surprised that suddenly Sir Victor Umeh sees me as an ‘INTERNET HACKER WRITER’. From the time he took over from Chief Chekwas Okorie as National Chairman of the APGA, even though he was not in line for the succession, I was holding his back, defending him. He did not see me then as Hacker, but a good comrade.

“He found a brother in me, same way he found a mentor in Gov. Obi who lifted him from grass to grace; then he switched over to any bidder that pays higher than Obi. His switch of loyalty from Obi to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and to Ifeanyi Ubah is record-breaking.

“He knows how best to use and dump or destroy. For instance, Emeka Ojukwu Jnr., who is supposed to take over the mantle from his iconic father, started going down the slope when he started having Umeh as a friend. Umeh advised him to send a letter of resignation to Gov. Obi, so that the governor would break and bend and open the coffers to Umeh, thinking that ‘Governor will not want to offend Ikemba Snr.’ Well, little did they know that Gov. Obi is not a man that panics – he accepted the resignation in good faith. That started the falling and fumbling of Emeka, who is supposed to be a name to reckon with in Igbo politics.

“As soon as Umeh destroyed the career of that young man, he switched over to Gov. Rochas Okorocha, praising him to high heavens, getting what he always wanted (money). Then Rochas became wiser to his antics and kicked him out.

“Umeh switched over to Ifeanyi Ubah, who we know is not a card-carrying member of APGA. Now it seems Ifeanyi’s fortune can no longer carry Umeh and he is switching over to Chief Arthur Eze.

“In two years’ time, I am sure he will have so much aspersion to cast on his newly found Mugu, Ifeanyi Ubah; after all, Ifeanyi is not a card-carrying member of APGA and is a neophyte in politics. What he is carrying is bag of money to buy loyalty which Umeh is selling at a discount.

“I defended Umeh all the eight years he held the position of APGA Chairman, from 2004 -2012, because he was a better alternative to Chekwas, but when he wanted a THIRD TERM, all his disciples and members of the National Executive Committee abandoned him, switched over to the new vibrant leadership under Maxi Okwu.

“APGA in 32 states of the nation lined loyally behind the leadership of Maxi. I am sure Sir Victor will also see them as paid hackers, too. Anybody that doesn’t side with him must be a paid hacker. Little wonder in eight years of leadership, he called NWC meeting only six times.

“Sir Victor Umeh said I was paid to do a hatchet job. Can you ask him, under his chairmanship, Gov. Obi wanted to conduct local government election and he, Sir Victor Umeh, sold forms to contestants, for the post of Councillor at N100,000, and Chairmanship N1 million.

“More than 300 bought the forms for chairmanship and more than 900 bought the forms for councillorship. Where did he deposit the money since he did not refund the money to the candidates and he did not keep same in APGA purse?

“He said I am a paid hacker. Please ask him, does it mean he is owing me for all the defence and projection I gave him for eight years? Can i ask him to pay now?

“The problem of Sir Victor Umeh is that he believes his reign shall be for eternity; he does not agree that every product has a life span or expiring date. Plus, he is trying hard to carry out the All Progressives Congress (APC) agenda, which is to destabilise APGA and they will give him a senatorial ticket under APC. If he denies this, ask him what was his tenure of office? And what is it he wants with APGA even when all his executives have washed their hands off him?”

•Photo shows Sir Victor Umeh (right) greeting Rochas at a public event.

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