The United Progressive Party (UPP) has accused the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) of not fighting for the interest of Ndigbo. The party made the accusation while unfolding its plans for the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State.
Its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Uche Amaku, while speaking with reporters in Awka, the state capital, said UPP was ready to shove APGA aside in the election.
He said: “UPP is sympathetic to Igbo cause, while APGA is not. And that is the difference between the two political parties, and we are set to take what belongs to us”
“After 15 years of APGA’s existence and 11 years in power in Anambra State, it became obvious that the party has lost its bearing and focus and failed to serve as a platform for all marginalised persons in Nigeria, especially Ndigbo, to participate fully in the country’s democratic system”
“APGA became the political instrument of a few individuals and failed to serve, as its intended purpose of mainstreaming the collective aspirations of Ndigbo”
“The party became a tool of political oppression of youths and women, as it failed to provide the enabling environment for many people to gain political experience through participation in democratic governance”
”It was against the need to revert to the original vision of the founding fathers for Ndigbo and politically marginalised persons to have a space for participation and voice that the UPP was founded”
Amaku debunked the allegation that UPP was working with members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other Biafra agitators to take over Anambra during the election.
He said the UPP would not give its governorship ticket to any aspirant that failed in another party, following his or her defection to the party.
Tag: APGA
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UPP accuses APGA of not fighting for Ndigbo
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Ezeemo: I’m not afraid of APC, APGA
Chief Godwin Ezeemo is a governorship aspirant in Anambra State on the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). In this interview with Nwanosike Onu, he speaks on his ambition and chances at the poll.
You’RE running once again for Anambra governorship in November. Where are you getting your inspiration?
I am planning to contest the seat of governorship of our great state, Anambra, for real on the platform of Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA), because I feel I have a call of service to my people. I sincerely feel that I need to give back to the society that made me what I am today. I have had a golden opportunity to leave the shores of this country and having lived in a Western country and passed through their system of leadership that made things workable for them, I feel obliged to replicate same for my dear people.
Are you not afraid of dominant parties like the APC, the APGA and the PDP?
It is not the name of a political party that drives it in the real sense, where politics is meant to be for the good of the people. Rather, it is the programmes, ideology and commitment to giving live a meaning for the poor, giving voice to the voiceless and hope to the blind, by providing with seeing aids. It is also about giving hope to the aged, to those who have given up in life and creating an enabling environment for the generality of the people to work on and survive.
I can tell you that as small as the PPA may be, it is a party to beat, because of its inherent tendencies of human face in its political arrangement. I am not really bothered about big parties. What I am really worried about is the political culture of our people. What makes those parties big in the first place? Is it their rigging habits? Is it the politics of do or die or I-must-win? No, I am not scared by people of such quality.
The APC, the PDP or the APGA do not scare me, because they are not really as big as people think. With a level-playing ground, they can easily be defeated. What happened in the recent Rivers election is an example. The real people who are big are the voters, because they decide who gets what, how and when. So, if we have active political culture where candidates are placed side by side of what they have done to bless humanity, I tell you, the PPA will win all the way. Anyway, I am trusting INEC in its recent reforms, which shows that it is not going to be business as usual or money bag politics; it is the people that will decide. The ball is in the court of the electorates to choose between politics of materialism or welfare.
Why did you choose PPA?
Yes, it is workable if our people toe the line of sound political philosophy, which is simply voting for people because of what they can offer you; not what the party can bring. I am in the PPA, because of its political ideology. I feel that they operate closely to what is obtainable from where I am coming from, where internal democracy plays role, where ideology is the watchword. It is possible; I can win on the PPA platform; it has the good of the people at heart.
What is your greatest challenge in politics?
My greatest worry is the high-level of political insincerity; some people do not stand up for the right decision, because of the quest for materialism. They compromise their future a lot for porridge. It is unfortunate that our people are not looking for a party with direction, solution and capability. We should be looking at the people vying for political positions, not their political party; the individual should be the decisive factor, not the party he represents.
In PPA, you have people who are technocrats in various fields of human endeavour. With this, I can say confidently that I don’t fear any political figure that claim to be mighty, because where do they drive their power and strength from? From the common purse our resources, through their holding one political office or the other.
I am also worried by the level of unemployed persons taking to politics. So, politics is now a profession? People see it as a chance to become rich; not a call to service, as we have it in the Western world. We need people who are self-made, through the dint of their hard work. -
No merger talks with any party —APGA
THE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Friday in Abuja insisted it would not merge or enter into any alliance talk with any political party ahead of 2019 general elections. National Director of Publicity of the party, Mr Ifeanacho Oguejiofor said that contrary to reports, the party would remain committed and faithful to the objective of its founding fathers. Oguejiofor said that APGA had never participated in any merger of political parties and was therefore not involved in any “so called mega party’’. “APGA is still very much around. We have not closed shop; I wish to reiterate that the issue of merger with other political parties is not on the agenda of All Progressives Grand Alliance.
“When people talk about mega party, merger talk with APGA, I just laugh at what the mega is all about? APGA is mega on its own and accommodates all, so we don’t need it. “For the avoidance of doubt, we are not interested in any mega party; our concern at the moment is to galvanise, re-strategise, restructure and reinvent APGA.
“This is to make it capable of winning future elections in the 36 states of Nigeria, including the FCT and most especially, the No merger talks with any party —APGA forthcoming Lagos state local government election in June. “But, that does not mean that our effort is only in Lagos state; we are building bridges across board, the entire federation.
The party is working; we are not sleeping,’’ he said. Oguejiofor urged the party’s members and the public to disregard the deceptive addition of APGA into a mega party, saying that merger was not in the agenda of the party. He said that APGA was not a regional party as it was made to be believed by many, because its political activities cut across the nation. He also debunked the insinuation that the party was for the Igbos and the South-East.
“It is just the perception of Nigerians to tag APGA as an ethnic party so as to hinder it from selling its manifesto to Nigerians; we have members and supporters even in the north. “It is quite unfortunate that most Nigerian politicians want to divide Nigeria along ethnic, regional and religious lines thereby fostering division.’’ Oguejiofor called on all Nigerians to put away sentiments and work together so as to achieve a peaceful and developed nation devoid of ethnic and religious crisis. (NAN)
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‘APC not a threat to APGA’
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr. Victor Ike Oye, has said that the All Progressive Congress (APC) will not be a threat to the governorship election billed for November in Anambra State.
He said in Amawbia, Awka South local government area, that those criticising APGA were doing it because of envy.
Oye said those joining the APC in Anambra can not win elections, adding that those who win elections were the masses, who according to him, were with APGA.
The politician said the parties grandstanding could not withstand APGA, adding that members of APGA were not pushovers.
“Nigeria is moving into a new era and things must change for the better, Buhari is doing his best to turn the economy around for the country” Oye said.
Oye said the APC administration in Nigeria led by President Muhammadu Buhari was doing everything possible to write the wrongs of past, despite the economic situation, which, he said was not caused by the present administration.
He said the APGA government in Anambra under Obiano would start another round of 181 projects to mark its third year in office.
According to him, “Anambra is forward looking state in Nigeria under Obiano and has become the safest state also in terms of security”
“This is election year and the governor deserves a second term because he has shown immeasurable development in the state with his do it yourself projects”
“Nigerian should corporate with APGA because it is a party to beat in 2019”
“APGA is with the masses and those are the people who vote and not those whose names are been dropped, therefore APC is not threat in Anambra”
Oye said some of the big names being dropped to have joined APC were all friends of Obiano, adding that all the noise were being put by enemies of progress in Anambra. -
Nwoye to APGA: Stop deceiving Anambra
Former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State and member representing Anambra East and West Constituency in the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Tony Nwoye, has said the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won elections in Anambra State through deceit.
He said the party used the name of the late Igbo icon, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, during elections.
Nwoye spoke in Nsugbe, Anambra East local government area, after revalidating his party membership card.
He said: he would seek the governorship ticket, despite coming from the same area with Governor Willie Obiano, adding that the governor had failed, not only the people of Anambra East council and Anambra North senatorial zone, but the entire state.
He said the governorship election would be different as the people have learnt their lessons in the hands of the APGA – led government.
Nwoye said before now, APGA had been using the name of Ojukwu to deceive the people during elections, adding that the trick would not work again for the party.
He said: “The APC is not like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where everybody is confused, but this party is a focused one and well disciplined”
“If anybody tells you that there is problem in APC, tell them it is not true and the influx of politicians to the party will not bring such either, because the more the merrier”
“We want to bring change in Anambra to stop the APGA led government from the impunity being perpetrated on the local government allocations, APGA government has really siphoned council funds” Nwoye alleged.
But, the Chairman of APGA, Sir Norbert Obi, challenged the former chairman of the PDP to show evidence of his claim.
Obi said in Awka that the Obiano administration had shown prudence in managing resources, adding that his achievement within the short time was enough evidence.
However, Nwoye said that the registration by the APC was not to target the state executive as being speculated, adding that every member of the APC was comfortable with the executive.
According to him, APC is a disciplined and focused party, what is happening in Anambra state now is a mass movement and that is why the party is bringing change to the people.
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APGA ‘ll win Anambra poll, says chieftain
Former Deputy Majority Leader in Anambra State House of Assembly and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on political matters to Governor Willie Obiano, Hon. Tony Collins Nwabuwanne, has said that no other party except the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) can clinch victory in the governorship election of Anambra State.
Nwabuwanne was reacting to a remark by former governor of Anambra State and Minister of Labour, Senator Chris Ngige, who said Obiano would lose his governorship seat unless defector to APGA for the APC.
The political aide to Obiano said unknown to Ngige most of the APC members in the state were already aligning with APGA for the actualization of the second term bid of the governor, who they believe has performed.
He said: “The honourable minister (Senator Chris Ngige) has no knowledge of what happens in Anambra State anymore as he is now resident in Abuja. He is now an Abuja-based politician who no longer has firsthand information about the true situation of things in our dear state. That is why he is not aware that most APC members now identify with APGA in Anambra State and are all willing to work for Obiano’s victory. The entire people of Anambra State are satisfied with Obiano’s performance, and as such, he doesn’t have to leave APGA to join APC in order to win next year’s election as requested by Ngige. APGA is the only party that can win governorship election in Anambra State. It is the only party our people trusted because of its record of performance. Ngige should know that if PDP could not use federal might to capture Anambra State from APGA all this while, his APC that just came in last year can never use that it to intimidate APGA, Anambra is not Ondo.”
Nwabuwanne added: “Obiano has done very well within a short time in office and his performance has gained him a global recognition. He came in and continued the projects that Mr. Peter Obi flagged off, completed and commissioned some while others are still ongoing and he also initiated new projects too. And that was his campaign promise – to continue, complete, commission and commence new projects.
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APC, APGA in verbal war over 2017 in Anambra
AHEAD of the November 2017 governorship election in Anambra State, the two leading political parties in the state, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) have commenced a verbal war aimed at outshining each other. The chairman of APGA in Anambra State, Sir Norbert Obi and one of the financiers of APC in the state, Nze Modestus Umenzekwe, have continued to disagree on the election, with each claiming victory.
Already, the APC has about five persons who have shown interest in the party’s ticket, while Governor Willie Obiano of APGA has also declared his intention to recontest, with another person, Dr. Elo Aforka challenging him. Speaking with The Nation in Awka yesterday, APC’s Umenzekwe branded APGA government in Anambra as a total failure, advising the government to begin to pack its bags in readiness to leave the Government House. He said the APC has put the necessary machinery in motion to make sure that Obiano does not return to the Government House because APGA has reneged on its campaign promises.
Umenzekwe said the APC has turned into the beautiful bride in the state because it controls the centre, despite all sorts of unprintable names given to it before the presidential election in 2015. According to him, “Anambra has been in opposition party for a long time and will not want to continue in that direction. That is why many people have defected to the APC, which has become a moving train” “So, with the array of people now in the party, I don’t think APGA stands a chance to challenge the APC in this state again.
They claimed it is Igbo party, where are the people that really made it Igbo party today? They should just forget the governorship this time around.” But, in his own reaction, the APGA state chairman, Sir Norbert Obi, described the statement of the APC chieftain as “the ranting of an ant”. He said those who were joining the APC from other parties in the state were those who had scores to settle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the ICPC, describing them as fair weather politicians, food is ready politicians.
The APGA chairman described the issue of APC taking over in Anambra in the November election as a tantalizing mirage, taking into consideration the present economic hardship in the country, which h said was caused by APC government. Obi said the APC should first concentrate on doing well in Imo State before thinking of taking over in Anambra, adding that Obiano had done well in agriculture, infrastructure and education among others. “APGA is fully prepared for the forthcoming election in the state. The APC is not on ground in the state and should forget the dream of winning the governorship election in Anambra State. Everything has been taken care of pertaining the election,” the chairman said.
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APGA hails Buhari for victory over insurgency
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the Federal Government for winning the war against Boko Haram insurgency.
The party, however, called on the government to use practical approaches that are less confrontational to resolve the Niger Delta crisis and kidnapping.
A statement by the National Director of Publicity, Ifeanacho Oguejiofor, said: “The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) wishes its members, supporters and Nigerians a pleasant and remarkable New Year, as well as a hopeful and glorious 2017.
“The party urges Nigerians to learn to show care and love to one another by being their brothers and sister’s keeper. And to always engage in things that will promote peace, common good and general interest of the country.
“APGA implores politicians, especially the elected officials at all levels of governance, to be altruistic in their services and sensitive to the suffering and needs of the people, in order to extenuate the man-made and unacceptable harsh economic cum social conditions Nigerians are subjected to at present.
“Though the party resolved, at the inception of this administration, not to criticise the APC-led government without any justifiable reason, later events have, however, given the party cause for concern.
“Thus, APGA is worried, for example, that the Federal Government is treating it’s anti-corruption war as a replacement for the normal government function of governance. This approach has to be really changed if the APC government is to turn round the faltering and depressing economy. While there is improvement in the war against Boko Haram, new theatres are opening in the Southeast and Southsouth, mostly because of the government’s poor handling of the hitherto minor agitation.
“The party calls on the government to use practical approaches that are less confrontational to resolve the issues. The development in the Niger Delta calls for concern; the Federal Government must find constructive ways of engagement and resolution of the issues that gave rise to the recent upsurge in militancy.
“If disruption of oil supplies continues in this 2017, the economy will be crippled and Nigerians, especially the less privileged, will be the worse for it than it experienced in the preceding year.”
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Anambra APGA suspends chairman indefinitely
The crisis rocking the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State worsened on Friday, following the indefinite suspension of the state chairman of the party, Sir Norbert Obi, for allegedly allowing the party to collapse.
In a communiqué signed by 17 members of the state’s working committee (SWC), the party also accused the suspended chairman of high handedness among other allegations.
However, reacting to the suspension order yesterday in Awka, Norbert Obi told The Nation on phone that he was still in charge of the party.
According to him, “I’m in my office at the party secretariat. There was no suspension as being speculated. Whatever anybody planned is not working,” Obi said.
In what seemed a hurriedly done arrangement by the SWC at about 7.30 yesterday morning, they claimed that Obi had run the party aground and lost grip in the state
“Our party has ostensibly lost focus, drive and has consequently put the chances of our great party achieving a second term success for our dear working governor in serious jeopardy.”
Among other allegations leveled against Obi are the denigration of members of SWC, failure to convene statutory meetings and the failure to render appropriate account of the funds accruable to the party.
“That Sir Norbert Obi is hereby suspended indefinitely forthwith as the state chairman of our party in Anambra State.