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Tag: APGA

  • APGA can’t retain power in Anambra, says Madukaife

    APGA can’t retain power in Anambra, says Madukaife

    Okelo Madukaife is the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State. In this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, he speaks on the preparations for the November 18 governorship election.

    How prepared is the APC for the governorship election?

    When you say other parties are moving, and All Progressive Congress (APC) not moving it is laughable. When you talk of politics of Anambra, there are only two parties, one is All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the other to replace them, that is APC. When you talk of other parties, my mind goes to APGA. The movement you see in APGA is the movement of panic. They have lost all grounds in the field and every movement now to recover will be natural. Come to think of it, you cannot throw a man into the river without a struggle, so it is natural for APGA.

    On the part of APC, we are quietly engaging every one which will be engaged for victory in November. We are creating camaraderie and partnership among our 13 governorship aspirants. We are engaging the system within the law on the issues of democratic governance under the Local Government Areas.

    We are reaching out to the controlling public in the state for victory and for obvious reason, I will not give details. The noise you hear in the air from APGA is all fury, but no wage.

    Are you saying you are not afraid of PDP or the proposed Mega party?

    If you bring anybody who still indentifies with PDP, he himself will not rate the party as a contender. PDP is suffocated and as we talk, APC has swallowed one part completely and it is keeping its communication line open for the other faction.

    On mega party you mentioned. The only place we hear of it are online, newspapers, social media etc. The moment we move from internet from these organs and begins to connect with the people, they will not go anywhere.

    Remember the fight is between APC and APGA. I know the existence of UPP, PPA and others, they will align with the two parties when the time comes.

    Every other person in the state is waiting for the crisis that might erupt in APC after its primaries in the state, do you not envisage such?

    The APC is an organized, focused and disciplined political party and we have a pedigree when it comes to internal democracy. So, anybody that ascribes  crisis to the primary is not referring to the APC.

    Crisis is not what most people report as crisis particularly the media for the simple reason that politics is a game of conflict. So by setting up a primary process, the party has deliberately set up a clash of interest between tendencies. But side by side, the party also knows how to blend all the forces together. Since 2014 when the ACN conducted its primaries in Abuja, smoothly, we have held about five governorship primaries and none of them has produced a losing aspirant that left the party and none of them has led to an electoral loss. Yet, it does not mean that there were not claims and objections after the primaries and that is why it is a game of conflict.

    If you add the presidential primary to these five governorship primaries, you will see that the APC is virtually perfecting the act of producing of its candidates through free and fair primaries. Before the presidential primaries in 2014, I was asked a similar question in Lagos of which my answer was what I have given now.

    For the primaries, we do not have any fear whatsoever. If you take for instance the latest primaries in Ondo, which so many opposition members tried to raise issue from, you will find out that because there were very strong stakes, a lot of open arguments came up after the primaries and at the end of the day, the party used its internal mechanism to resolve the issues and the final analysis, Ondo became the first governorship election in southern Nigeria that did not go to court.

    Does the APC have the wherewithal to battle Governor Willie Obiano of APGA?

    Our party is yet to hold any primaries likewise any other party, we are not talking of the person to face Obiano, because he is not yet a candidate, we are talking of bringing out somebody we know that can dust any other candidate produced by APGA.

    However, should APGA take the risk of Obiano for the election, we are confident that the worst of the 13 of the aspirants will defeat Obiano convincingly, because he is a none-performing governor who has no good story to tell to deserve a second term.

    Obiano promised to govern Anambra with four pillars, the first of it is oil and gas where he promised that the state will be a part and parcel of OMPADEC bringing benefits to Anambra state, but he has failed. He promised that under his watch, Anambra will raise its profile by attracting investments and industries, again he has failed and to make matters worse, he has continued to lie that the state has attracted investments worth 4 billion dollars to the state.

  • APGA ‘ll retain power in Anambra, says Ochije

    APGA ‘ll retain power in Anambra, says Ochije

    Comrade Obi Ochije Modilim is a chieftain of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra state. He spoke with NWANOSIKE ONU on the preparation of his party for the November 18 governorship election.

    How prepared is your party for the governorship election?

    When you talk of readiness on this November 18 election, I can tell you that governor Willie Obiano and our great party APGA is over 100 per cent ready for the election. Therefore, to answer your question, we are ready. But, what we will not do is to tell the people our strategies. APGA is a grass root, party and a mass movement. So, I laugh at people who say Obiano will not win his second term in Anambra. His victory is already granted through the people of the state, because of his good works and touching the lives of the needy. Already, he has implemented his four-point agenda in the state and he has entered into another phase.

    Are you not afraid of other parties like PDP, APC, PPA and UPP?

    APGA and its members cannot be afraid of anything because President Mohammadu Buhari is a man that does not want to dent his integrity. All we are asking for is fair play for every party during the election. From what has happened everywhere in the country, especially the recent Osun senatorial election, it seems the APC government is not interested in muzzling people, but ready to provide a level playing ground for every party and that is what democracy is all about. Therefore, there is no reason for APGA our great party to be afraid of anything because the votes will count.

    Anambra election is an election everybody including the international country is ready to monitor. A lot of investors all over the world are ready to flood the state for the election. My advice to the people of Anambra is that we should show the world that this state is a peaceful place and a very important state in Igbo land.

    But, what about the crisis in your party over the national leadership? does it not bother you?

    I think the crisis could be equated to a family problem that could be settled any moment. It does not give us any concern because we know the people are capable of settling it any moment from now. Our great leader and board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, which is the governor has already started the peace talks and very soon, the issues will be a thing of the past. Dr. Victor Oye is a great man and within his short period as the National Chairman of APGA, he has transformed the party but we have to wait for the court to settle the matter soon. This will bring everybody together to make way for the re-election of Chief Willie Obiano.

    Do you believe Obiano has done enough in the state like Obi to deserve re-election?

    Remember they are all APGA and that continuity is always there. There is no need comparing the two because the governments are all APGA.  Obi did well in the state and he is still being hailed in the party today, but I believe Obiano has surpassed the records set in the state by our former Governor which had lacked in Anambra state before Sen. Chris Ngige came on board.

    With Markafi coming on board, following the Supreme Court judgment, don’t you think the equation has changed concerning the election?

    I don’t think so. Let me explain, PDP is another party but first, let me congratulate them for rising from the dead. It will only give room for a stronger opposition not only in the state but also at the federal level. But let me assure you that APGA is not afraid and will never fear any other party in Anambra state because the party belongs to Ndi Anambra and also seen as a party for Ndigbo. PDP has no say here again, the party had danced naked in the market and therefore, it will take them some time to recover. For APC? It will take some time for them to be on ground and as for other parties you earlier mentioned, they are all floating in the air as far as Anambra state is concerned. The only thing people know now in this state is that election is between APGA, APC and PDP.

  • Defection: APGA urges Abia Speaker to declare seat vacant

    All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Aba South chapter has urged the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chikwendu Kanu, to declare the seat of the member representing Aba South constituency, Hon Emmanuel Clinton Ebere, vacant for defecting to the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

    Ebere had on May 26, 2017 in a letter he addressed to the chairman of APGA, Ward 3, Aba South Local Government said, “I wish to formally notify you that I am resigning from my position as a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).”

    Reacting to the development, the chairman of APGA in Aba South, Jude Eke said APGA’s demand for the seat of Hon Ebere to be declared vacant was for the fact that he left the party on which back he rode to the House, on the false reason that there was crisis in APGA.

     

  • APGA, APC, PDP and 14 fringe parties battle for Anambra

    APGA, APC, PDP and 14 fringe parties battle for Anambra

    There are four major parties taking part in the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State. The are the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the People Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA). But, indications are other 14 smaller parties are preparing to slug it out with the bigger parties. NWANOSIKE ONU reports.

    THE Anambra State governorship election, which is scheduled to take on November 18, 2017, is going to be a tough battle among four major political parties. The four parties are the All Progressive Congress (APC), the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) and the ruling All Progressive’s Grand Alliance (APGA).

    However, there are smaller parties that would want to make an impact during the election. Those in this category have started putting up structures in the 326 wards. Out of the 40 of the political parties in country, only about 14 have offices and a support base in Anambra. They are the Alliance for Democracy (AD), the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the United Progressive Party (UPP) and the Hope Democratic Party (HDP). Others are the Labour Party (LP), the National Conscience Party (NCP) and the Independent Democrats (ID).

    All the parties, big and small, have started making preparations for the election. Some of the mushroom parties are currently touring the 177 communities in the state with the belief that they could still spring surprises in the governorship election. Besides, some of them are looking forward to forming an alliance with the bigger parties, to leverage on the relative popularity of those parties for compensation after victory.

    The AD is one of such parties. The party went into oblivion in 2003 after former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, who contested that year’s election on its platform failed in his second term bid. Today, Ikechukwu Augustine has moved in to resuscitate the party, having put structures in all the wards and local government areas in the state.

    The HDP is another small party that is waxing stronger. The party’s newfound popularity is being spearheaded by Hon. Sam Oraegbunam, who has taken the state executive members to all the nooks and crannies of the state for recognition.

    Some of the parties are not ready for the election, because they cannot boast of heavyweights to champion their mobilization effort at the grassroots; they are just putting up the structures to attract some of the governorship aspirants.

    The norm in Anambra State, like elsewhere in the country, is for aspirants that lose the nomination of their parties to run to any of the organised smaller parties to actualise his or her ambition. As a result, chairmen of smaller political parties usually position the parties to reap from such harvest.

    The problem with Anambra politics is that those who do not belong to any of the so-called big political parties do not any chance of winning. But, this time around, most people are focusing on personalities and not parties.

    The Publicity Secretary of the UPP, Mr. Uche Amaku, believes there might be an upset this time around, as the so-called big parties may be defeated by one of the small parties. He said big politicians have deceived the people for a long time and that the electorates have made up their minds to go for personalities this time.

    The Anambra Central senatorial candidate of the ADC, Chief Anayo Nweke, believes his party is ready to challenge the big players in the November 18 governorship election. He said the ADC is open to working with other parties towards displacing APGA from the Government House, Awka, the Anambra State capital, come March 2018.

    The AD Chairman, Augustine, said the party is leaving no stone unturned to win the election. While commending Governor Willie Obiano for what he has been able to do so far, he admitted however that the party’s priority is not winning the election, but to support anybody that could take the state to the Promised Land.

    He said the electoral process has improved over the years and that gone are the days when the youths are employed to snatch ballot boxes and molest rival politicians and their supporters.

    He said “The AD would offer its governorship ticket to a good candidate that can win the election. But, if we fail to get the best, we can support any other good candidate from another political party.

    “We have come to change the dynamics of politics in Anambra State, with a new orientation. The AD wants to tell the people that the youths and women have stakes in politics.”

    The HDP, which came into the limelight when Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu was its governorship candidate in 2011 has come alive again. The party, which is currently led by one-time Chairman of the LP, Hon. Sam Oraegbunam, last week announced its readiness for the governorship race.

    Oraegbunam said the party is not going to impose a candidate from the top, but will rather abide by the choice of the people. He said though some political heavyweights are seeking to contest the election on the HDP platform, the party will rely on its members to choose their candidate.

    Oraegbunam and his team have already toured all the local government areas in the state to reach out to the people at the grassroots and announce the readiness of the party for the election.

    He said: “Our movement to the local governments was to tell the people of Anambra State that we are fully ready for the November 18, 2017 date as announced by INEC.”

    As part of its preparations for the election, the Independent Democrats, held its state congress a few weeks ago, at the Marble Arch Hotels in Awka. At the congress, Omeife Omeife was elected as Chairman. The congress was attended by the party’s National Chairman, Chief Edozie Madu, and it was witnessed by over six INEC staff and security operatives.

    Omeife said the executive had been meeting in different places to strategise on the election. He added that some aspirants had equally shown interest in the party’s governorship ticket.

    The National Conscience Party (NCP) is also seriously preparing for the election. Its Chairman, Sir Peter Okala, said the party is still searching for a credible candidate to fly its flag during the election. He said the party would conduct a free and fair primary to determine who will fly its flag during the governorship election.

    Be that as it may, about five months to the election, most of the parties are still playing a waiting game. Most of them are yet to conduct their primaries and with the exception of the ruling party, the candidates of majority of them are still unknown.

     

  • Al-Makura urges workers to call off strike

    Al-Makura urges workers to call off strike

    Gov. Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has urged striking workers to call off their strike in the interest of peace and for the socio-economic development of the state.

    Al-Makura made the appeal on Monday in Lafia during a meeting with some stakeholders to commemorate 18 years of uninterrupted democracy in Nigeria.

    “As far as I am concerned, there is no strike in Nasarawa state now and any worker hiding in his bedroom is doing that at his or her own risk,’’ he however warned.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the NLC Chairman in the state, Mr Abdullahi Adeka, had on May 26 announced the suspension of the strike, saying the state government has started implementing their demands.

    However, on May 27, a factional NLC Chairman, Mr Bala Umar, asked workers to continue with the strike, insisting that the government was yet to meet up with their demands.

    The workers are demanding for full payment of their salary arrears, promotion and enhanced condition of service.

    Commenting on the development, the governor said that the meeting was aimed at appreciating, recognising and acknowledging the contributions of those that served and are still serving the state since when he assumed office in 2011.

    Al-Makura said that the strike, which was embarked upon by the organised labour, has a political motive.

    “As a matter of fact, the master minds behind the strike are people completely belonging from opposition political parties.

    “The strike is only to sabotage government efforts; if not why is that children whose parents are APC, PDP, APGA, Labour Party, among others, want to be denied opportunity to studies.

    “We thank the Ministry of Education and the government that make the necessary arrangement to make sure that the students study without hitches,” he said.

    Al-Makura pointed out that his administration in the past six years have recorded landmark achievements in the areas of development in the state capital and with a drive in rural areas through the provision of basic social amenities and infrastructure to curb rural/urban migration.

    He assured the stakeholders and the people of the state on his unalloyed drive for development which, according to him, has resulted to key infrastructural improvement.

    “The contributions of various stakeholders in the state have help in bringing to success the gains of democracy which we all celebrate today,” he added.

    According to him, since the birth of his administration, road network, construction of schools, hospitals and markets, among other key infrastructures, has in no small measure top government programmes.

    The governor renewed the commitment of his administration to continue to create infrastructures that would have direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.

    NAN also reports that the meeting brought together past and present political office holders who served the state at various levels.

  • Anambra APGA youths protest judgment

    Youths of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State have protested the judgment of an Enugu High Court against the party.

    The National Youth Leader, Comrade Chinedu Anselem Nebeife, who spoke at a rally at the weekend, said the party will not succumb to people bent on frustrating Governor Willie Obiano’s re-election.

    His words: “We are gathered here to draw the attention of an unsuspecting world to the activities of a satanic cabal intent on the perennial suppression and oppression of the people of Anambra State.

    “Today, we are gathered here to make a definite statement against this evil cabal intent on undemocratically thwarting the cause of good governance, and the rapid, monumental delivery of the dividends of democracy by the Willie Obiano administration.

    “Today we are gathered to defend the cause of true democracy and the rule of law against a cabal whose stated interest is to take over Anambra State by crook or by hook, and begin the satanic enslavement of our people and the systematic destruction of our collective heritage and patrimony.

    “This cabal of expired politicians we are talking about gathered at Finotel, Awka, a few days back, and made it clear that they will go to any extent to rig the November 18 Anambra governorship election by thwarting the cause of democracy and the rule of law.

    “But I appeal to you to remain calm and law abiding, irrespective of this provocative judgment, as our lawyers have been instructed to do the needful and vacate that illegal judgment. And we are confident in their capacity to ensure the victory of justice over injustice. We are also confident that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s war against corruption in the judiciary will guarantee our victory.

    “The National Chairman of APGA still remains Dr. Victor Ike Oye. Any other person attempting to lay claim to that office is nothing but a stupid, frustrated and useless pretender.

    “We are glad to say that his leadership has repositioned our party and reset it on the path to greater achievements, beginning with the re-election of Governor Willie Obiano for a well-deserved second term in office.”

    “Finally, let it be on record that we have spit fire, we APGA Youths, Igbo Youths, that if this order of mandamus is not vacated within 21 days, we would occupy the streets like the Egyptians did during the days of Mubarak, where the people protested until justice was done.

    “We call on APGA youths, Igbo youths, and Anambra youths, to rise up in defence of our collective heritage.”

  • APGA aspirant to members: Stop ridiculing court judgment with protest

    The governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the November 18, governorship election in Anambra State, Dr. EloAforka, has warned members of the party to stop ridiculous protest in the state against the judgment of a court.

    Justice J.B Ozoemena of Enugu High Court, last week gave the judgment that Senator Martins Agbaso is now the National Chairman of the party and not Dr. Victor Oye.

    After the judgment, one of the Special Advisers to Governor Willie Obiano, known as ChineduObidigwe, mobilized youths in the state in a protest on Tuesday against the judgment.

    He also, barred reporters in the state from covering the protest, threatening to smash any camera that came close to the venue at Dr. Alex EkwuemeSquare and mobilizing the youths to physically assault journalists.

    However, in a statement yesterday in Awka, the APGA chieftain and Obiano’s rival for the governorship ticket of the party in the state, Dr. EloAforka, condemned the action of the youth, describing it as childish.

  • We will win future elections – PDP

    We will win future elections – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State on Sunday expressed optimism that it would win all future elections in the state.

    Some chieftains of the party in the state said at a zonal meeting in Awgu for Enugu West that the party would continue to control the state in spite of recent political realignments in the state.

    The Deputy Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Chief Donatus Uzogbado, said that the party was not envisaging any challenge from any of the opposition parties in the state.

    Uzogbado said that the faithful needed not fret over recent events where some members defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that PDP was “still on ground”.

    “The APC challenge is no challenge to us. In fact, the 2019 elections is going to be the easiest for our party in the state,” he said.

    Also, the Chairman of Aninri Local Government Area, Mr. Chidi Ekwe, said that the unprecedented peace and unity in the party would be the tonic for its successful outing of the party in future polls.

    Ekwe hailed the exemplary relationship between Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, saying that the state had not had it so good.

    “We at the local government are trying to replicate the good works of the governor in our various councils,” Ekwe said.

    The Commissioner for Water Resources, Chief Charles Egungbe, said that the PDP had a well-thought out secession plan which could not be thwarted by any of the opposition parties.

    Egungbe said that there was nothing to fear as the PDP was synonymous with the state, adding that the second term of the governor was assured.

    He, however, urged the party faithful not to rest on their oars or remain indifferent if the PDP must be successful.

    “Our loyalty is with Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and we shall keep supporting him,” Egungbe said.

    The member representing Aninri constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Toby Okechukwu, said that Enugu West was a no-go area for the opposition parties.

    Okechukwu said that politicians in the area were so focused that even without a political party they could decide where their allegiance stood and would not waiver.

    “However, we will do our best to make sure that the party continues to prosper. Our support for the governor is not in vain. We are with him because of what he is doing,” he said.

    Meanwhile, the party leadership in the zone received some members of opposition parties in the state who defected to it at the event.

    One of them, from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mrs. Ijeoma Chukwu, said that her decision to join PDP was borne out of conviction that it was the party of the moment in the state.

    Chukwu, who was APGA’s candidate for the Enugu West senatorial election in 2015, said that her former party was dying.

    “We have decided to join the PDP because of some reasons. I love my former party, APGA, but it is unfortunate the party is gradually dying,” she said.

     

  • Anambra 2017: ‘APGA will win’

    Anambra 2017: ‘APGA will win’

    Hon. Chinedu Nkwonta is the Publicity Secretary of the Anambra State All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). In this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, he speaks on the party’s strategy to win the November 18 governorship election and the chances of other political parties. 

    How prepared is the APGA for the November 18 governorship election?

    Anambra State belongs to the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Every Anambrarian understands the fundamental principles of the party. In fact, no Anambra person needs to be told that our collective destiny changed for the better when APGA took over the governance of the state. The gods of our land physically and spiritually agreed with the principles of APGA. That is why we do not need any extra preparation for any election, especially the governorship election coming in November.

    Anambra State was like a leper before APGA took over. Former Governor Peter Obi came in and started the progressive movement that the state witnessed within the first eight years of APGA government. The story today is that Willie Obiano is working. Willie is working is not just a mantra; come to Anambra State today and you will be delighted by the monumental development going on in the state.

    The APC and the PDP are threatening to take over the state…

    The PDP is a forgotten party; the people of Anambra do not talk about the PDP anymore. It has been dumped in the dustbin of politics. Anambra is a traditional core Igbo state; it is the central of the Igbo nation. The APC’s wild dream of coming into Anambra is only a figment of the imagination of few politicians that still believe that brigandage still rule. Anambra has nothing politically, culturally, spiritually or otherwise in common with the APC. We are conscious of their obvious interests in our dear state; we can only say that Anambra State today is not the Anambra of yesterday. Our people are politically savvy and we know where our bread is buttered; it is in APGA.

    You are sounding optimistic. What of the crisis in your party?

    It is expected when you have people who feel disgruntled for one reason or the other. There is no major crisis in APGA today; compared with APGA, other political parties are in worse situation. APGA is a family; more like a religion. For us all, the followers, therefore, any minor misunderstanding does not remove the fact that the party is supreme and every member is expected to succumb to the superior authority, which is the APGA government under Dr. Willie Obiano. The fact still remains that Dr Victor Ike Oye is our National Chairman and Sir Norbert Obi our State Chairman.

    What are Obiano’s chances of reconciling with people like Victor Umeh and Peter Obi?

    Governor Obiano has no problems with Chief Victor Umeh. He is a grounded party man who would do everything for APGA to survive. He was the National Chairman of APGA for two consecutive terms. The rumoured squabble between him and the governor is only being propelled by mischief makers that want to create crisis where there is none. Of course, you know that Chief Umeh is still in court, fighting over the Anambra Central senatorial election. We are confident that he will triumph and all APGA members will jubilate, including Governor Obiano.

    On the purported position of former Governor Peter Obi on the second term bid of Obiano, it is also another design by jobless politicians who want to benefit from such crisis. I will be the first to tell you that Mr. Obi knows he is not God. Therefore, he cannot say he will stop Obiano’s second term bid. The future of Obiano and APGA is in the hands of God and Ndi- Anambra. Governor Obiano will triumph, because hehas exceeded expectations in all facets of developments.

    All over the world, Ndi-Anambra are holding their heads high, because we have a working governor. As you know, the voice of man is the voice of the God, Ndi Anambra all over the world have spoken; they want Willie Obiano to sustain the strategic developments taking place all over the state.

  • Anambra 2017 and APGA’s political gimmick

    Anambra 2017 and APGA’s political gimmick

    As Anambra governorship election approaches, any visitor to the state now who is very observant will see that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)-led government in the state has commenced its political gimmick, thinking that Anambra people are gullible. At strategic locations across the state are giant and money-spinning billboards with bold inscription – APGA bu nke anyi meaning “APGA is our own” and the picture of the late ex-Biafra warlord, Chief Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu who died many years ago.

    The questions that easily come to one’s mind are: “What is the picture of late Ojukwu or his family members got do to with the forthcoming governorship election? Is late Ojukwu or his wife, an aspirant in the election? Why can’t Ojukwu, who is dead since be allowed to rest in perfect peace?

    Why should he be dragged into this again? Well, that is the extent of desperation and hypocrisy political power can drive people to, even when it is obvious that such people have no capacity to deliver in office. But that is dirty politics and desperate politicians for you. To these politicians, anything and everything is okay and possible, so far it can guarantee them political power.

    It will be recall that this was the same gimmick, the immediate past governor of Anambra State and Governor Willie Obiano’s predecessor under APGA platform, Mr Peter Obi used to deceive the people of the state during his first and second term elections. Obiano and his supporters appear to be toeing the footsteps of his estranged political godfather, Obi, forgetting that such cannot work for him this time around, due to many glaring political factors. It is very important at this point to remind and teach Obiano, who was railroaded into Government House, Awka by his predecessor, the APGA history and it’s many frauds.

    After the 1998 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary in Jos, Plateau State, where an illustrious Igbo son and foundation member of the PDP, Chief Alex Ekwueme was short-changed at the eleventh hour and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu also schemed out in the All Peoples Party (APP) presidential primary in Kaduna, it became clear to the Igbos that there was need for a political platform of their own to negotiate for political power at the centre. The dilemma of the Igbos then was who would bell the cat. This was because majority of Igbo politicians were in the PDP-led government and others in the opposition, APP including Ojukwu, who was a member of Board of Trustees of the party.

    That was how Chief Chekwas Okorie alongside Chief Maxi Okwu took up the challenge and registered APGA on June 22, 2002 with financial support from the likes of late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, Chief Arthur Eze and others. Because of his age-long relationship with Ojukwu and the respect the Igbos have for him, Okorie gave Ojukwu, the party presidential ticket in 2003. Prof. ABC Nwosu introduced Mr. Peter Obi to Ojukwu after Obi was schemed out of the PDP.

    That was how Obi brought in his kinsman, Chief Victor Umeh, who was then personal assistant to Chief Joseph Okonkwo (Ofiadulu), a popular politician and Treasurer of the PDP into APGA. Obi was later given APGA governorship ticket in 2003, courtesy of Ojukwu’s influence on Okorie. After the election, Dr. Chris Ngige of the PDP was announced the winner and Obi went to tribunal.

    With high-level political conspiracy and intrigues in the presidency, Obi reclaimed the governorship seat from Ngige at the Court of Appeal in 2006. Before then, precisely in 2004, Umeh who was made APGA Treasurer had announced the expulsion of Okorie from the party. Umeh made himself acting chairman with the tactical support of Obi. For almost 10 years, Okorie was in court fighting for the soul of APGA, but was frustrated by the undertakers in APGA from Agulu community namely-Obi and Umeh. That was how APGA lost its original soul and became “Agulu” Progressives Grand Alliance with Umeh as its chairman and Governor Obi as major financier.

    It is of note that for eight years of Obi’s administration, APGA never won any National Assembly seat in Anambra State, despite the claim that it was an Igbo and Ojukwu’s party. Rather what Obi and Umeh did was to arrange a secret and selfish alliance with the PDP-led government at centre, where by PDP concede governorship seat to APGA in Anambra and take National Assembly seats.

    They consistently used Ojukwu, his name and picture to do governorship campaign in Anambra. During Obi’s second term election in 2010, APGA apologists told Anambra people that Obi’s second term was Ojukwu’s last wish. All sort of political subterfuges were perpetrated by the APGA undertakers in the state, using Ojukwu’s name just to serve their selfish political interests. Even at that, all the acclaimed apostles of Ojukwu in Anambra and beyond never identified with APGA before and after Ojukwu’s death. Why? Why was it that APGA did not grow beyond Anambra State or Agulu, throughout the eight years of Obi’s administration? Why didn’t the Igbos embrace the party totally? Was it because it lost its Igbo soul and became a platform for Agulu people to make money and achieve their political interest? Why immediately Obi left office, did he abandon APGA and jump into PDP? Was it that he realised that he has been a local champion for eight years and needed to be in the mainstream politics for political rehabilitation and to fight for the state’s fair share of the national cake? Unfortunately for Obi, PDP lost the presidency in 2015 and has not found its bearing since then.

    For Obiano’s government and its apologists, what is of paramount importance now is verifiable account of Obiano’s achievements with the billions of Anambra money, he has collected, not Ojukwu’s billboard, wrapper, rice, money or the known lie that APGA bu nke anyi or Igbo party. May be APGA and Obiano apologists will now tell Anambra people that Obiano’s second term is Ojukwu’s message from the grave. We hear.  Once bitten, twice shy.  Anambra State cannot continue with a party that is an orphan and a local champion with poor performance.

    With All Progressives Congress (APC) led- federal government at the centre performing well and parading credible personalities like Bath Nwibe, and others in the governorship election in the state, it is a question of time, before the state joins the mainstream politics.

     

    • Ezeani, a historian and researcher wrote from Obosi, Anambra State