KOTA KINABALU – Rumours within Upko’s political circle are abound regarding the clash between the party’s top leadership, where president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau will be facing his current number two Datuk Ewon Benedick.
When contacted by The Vibes for confirmation, Benedick all but admitted that he will be throwing the gauntlet against his boss.
“My intention is guided by the wishes of the party leaders and members…
Upko has gone through a rebranding process from race-based to multiracial-based party and to policy-based party. Some say rebranding also includes new leadership and the need to inject new motivation that inspires the party and its sympathisers.
“With Undi18, this matters more. Other parties have gone through party elections, and Upko is about to have its own this year,” said Benedick.
Furthermore, he added that his intentions are already “known” within the party.
The Kadamaian state rep said that there will be an announcement made tomorrow during Upko’s Kota Belud division annual meeting and the Kadamaian state constituency Raya Kaamatan open house.
The party’s divisional annual general meeting is currently ongoing.
Benedick was the state rural development minister during Warisan’s governance (2018-2020).
Tangau has yet to respond to The Vibes to confirm the matter.
Tangau, who is Tuaran MP, was once the federal science, technology and innovation minister (2015-2018), and became the Sabah deputy chief minister and state trade and industry minister when Warisan was the state government.
He served as the acting Upko president in 2014 until he won the presidential post uncontested in September 2018.
Upko officially joined the Pakatan Harapan coalition as a component party in August last year, making it the only Sabah party in the pact. – The Vibes, May 9, 2022
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