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Tag: APGA

  • APGA mourns candidate

    APGA mourns candidate

    The leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has mourned the death of its senatorial candidate for Orlu district in Imo State, Eudora Igwe, who died on Monday.

    Igwe, a member of the House of Assembly on APGA’s platform, had her name sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s senatorial candidate for the 2015 general elections.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, expressed shock about the death of Igwe, who he described as a grassroots mobiliser who empowered women and youths.

    He said: “We have lost a rare gem. She was a great mobiliser of men and women, who impacted on the lives of her people. Just yesterday (December 15), we submitted her name to INEC as our candidate for the Orlu district.

    “We pray that God should give her soul eternal rest and comfort her family.”

  • APC: Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates

    APC: Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates

    The presidential election in February, 2015 is no doubt the best opportunity for an opposition party, the APC, a coalition of parties, namely AC, ANPP, CPC and a faction of APGA, to clinch the coveted post of the presidency in Nigeria. Under the prevailing situation in the country, with the ruling party, the PDP, in bad shape, the presidency is there for grab by the new formidable opposition. But this can only be achieved if the APC does not commit mistakes of playing into the hands of the PDP. This calls for selflessness on the part of the leaders of the APC and their presidential aspirants. The APC should by now know the best candidate they can sell to the public. Naturally, such a candidate should come from those leaders who had gone through thick and thin to form the party in the first place. One of these pioneers is Gen. Buhari of the CPC which merged with CAN, ANPP, and a faction of APGA.

    As it is, the APC and its founding fathers have accommodated new comers who I believe, should have kept away from contesting the presidential primary. But because the APC and its leaderships believe in the democratic process, the race was thrown open to all those who are interested in becoming the president, regardless of their initial contribution to the tortuous journey of getting the party recognized. In this connection, one would have thought that a consensus candidate would have been agreed upon, but the leaders opted for the primary in order to keep the party intact.

    Of all the candidates, Gen. Buhari remains on top because he is the one with notable exposure in the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT. His popularity in the North is legendary. He stands shoulder high in the fight against corruption and indiscipline for which he is also a legendary figure, not to mention his Spartan discipline.

    Nigerian needs Buhari more than Buhari needs Nigeria in her darkest hours of indiscipline, impunity and corruption.

    If the issues of indiscipline and corruption can be tackled with the vigor by which Buhari did when he was Head of State, Nigeria may be on its way to redemption. Therefore, his candidature will send jitters to the PDP who already know his position against corruption which had been the PDP’s trademark for 16 years! I can imagine some PDP politicians decamping to APC for fear of the unknown in Buhari’s presidency in 2015.

    A good advice for whoever picks the APC’s presidential ticket concerns the choice of his running mate. First advice is who should not be his running mate % a muslim and a Yoruba, if the APC must win the presidential election next year. Well meaning Nigerians have been advised against the volatile issue of a muslim%muslim ticket. Already the PDP has labelled APC a muslim party which we all know is not true. To present a muslim%muslim ticket is to give the PDP a potent weapon as a campaign issue. Remember that Obasanjo, a Yoruba, has just finished 8 years as president of Nigeria in 2007. This was to be followed by a candidate from the South or North. Now, the candidate is zoned to the North. Already a South%South is the incumbent president. For the purpose of fairness, a South%West should not be put forward as vice presidential candidate. This is where the South%East comes in. If they cannot clinch the presidential ticket, they should be considered for the V.P so as to give the South%East a sense of belonging. The APC is already solid in the South%West and the North. Because of Obasanjo who had just finished 8 years as president, the Yoruba, who are a sophisticated people, do not clamour for a position in the presidency, i.e. president or vice president, the latter being a potential president.

    Now, Rochas Okorocha would be a good candidate for the V.P except that he is already contesting as president. Rotimi Amaechi and Comrade Oshiomole are also good candidates, except that they come from the same zone with Jonathan who is the incumbent president. This leaves the best choice of V.P candidate to the South East if the party hopes to win votes from that zone. There are many important positions to be shared, but the bottom line is: no muslim%muslim ticket and no Yoruba as Vice-president. The APC should not downplay the role of electorate’s sensibilities on matters of this nature, for we are in Nigeria and not in the UK or America where deft political calculations do not matter. After all, what the APC wants is to send the PDP packing in 2015. This could be done not by political leaders but by the electorate who go to the polls under a combination of factors: religion and ethnicity which, in addition, would have the prevailing horrible economic, security and social crises for the parties, especially the PDP, to contend with. Pragmaticism is the sure philosophy here, that is if APC will win, the right choices of good and acceptable presidential and vice presidential candidates will do the work. No sentiment, selfishness, self help or carelessness. Our leaders must not disappoint us. If APC wins, all the members win; if it loses, all of them lose in a fell-swop. And lovers of APC may never forgive their leaders should they bungle this golden opportunity of ruling Nigeria for once and for a change. Thanks.

     

    Moses Akinola Makinde, FNAL

    Professor of Philosophy

    DG/CEO, Awolowo Centre for Philosophy, Ideology and Good Governance, Osogbo.

     

  • Aspirant urges Obiano, Umeh to avert crisis in APGA

    Aspirant urges Obiano, Umeh to avert crisis in APGA

    As controversy trails the House of Representatives primaries of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, an aspirant for the Njikoka/Anaocha Federal Constituency seat, Onochie Okagbue, has urged Governor Willie Obiano and the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, to ensure that an acceptable delegates’ list was produced.

    Okagbue, a former chairman of Dunukofia Local Government, described the primary “as a sham and a fraud.”

    Said he: “The primaries were full of irregularities. In fact, it was a fraud. Delegates’ election was held and party faithful contested and won. When the party came with the list of delegates, which was never displayed for the aspirants, we found out that the names of the members, who won the election, have been changed in almost all the wards. For instance, in my ward, there are names of the All Progressives Congress (APC) card-carrying members on the list. In Njikoka, you see the former chairman of Labour Party, who is still contesting his position in court, as an APGA delegate. The process was tailored to favour some aspirants.

    “The delegates’ list was compromised in favour of a particular aspirant. There was no primary election in Dunukofia and Anaocha Constituency 1 on December 3 for the House of Assembly ticket because the aspirants complained about the delegates’ list. It was not displayed for the aspirants to know the delegates.”

    Okagbue went on: “When the names were called, they found out that even the ones they know have been changed to the names of the people that never contested the delegates’ election.

    “The party leadership should ensure that an authentic delegates’ list is produced and where they have decided or anointed a particular aspirant like this particular case, they should save the party the embarrassment of manipulating primaries. APGA stands a good chance being a party that is acceptable to the populace.

    “I have been a strong member of the party since 2002. I have also served as the transition chairman of my local government. The records of my achievements are verifiable. I’ve been using my resources since 2002 to build APGA in my local government. I believe in the party as the voice of an Igbo man. “I am academically qualified. I served as the vice chairman of the Campaign Committee of former Governor Peter Obi during his re-election. I was the transition chairman during Governor Obiano’s election.

    “I have built structures across two local governments. For equity and fairness, Dunukofia should be given the opportunity to represent the constituency. Uche Ekwunife, the incumbent, is from Anaocha. Chief Umeh, the senatorial candidate, is also from Anaocha. George Ozodinaobi, former House of Representative member, who came before Ekwunife, is from Njikoka. Senator Ikechukwu Abana is from Njikoka and Deputy Governor Nkem Okeke is from Njikoka, Enugwu-Ukwu to be precise.

    “Dunukofia needs to be given this opportunity to strengthen the party in the local government. I will continue with the contest. I won’t be frustrated.”

     

     

  • Jonathan threatened over APGA primaries

    Jonathan threatened over APGA primaries

    A group, the Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC), has threatened the ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan in next year’s general elections, if the crisis rocking the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State over primaries was not resolved.

    IPAC is the umbrella of parties in the state.

    It warned politicians to desist from imposing candidates on the people, to avoid bloodshed during the elections.

    In a communiqué after its meeting yesterday in Awka, the group warned Governor Willie Obiano against what it described as political robbery in APGA.

  • APGA holds Assembly primaries Tuesday

    APGA holds Assembly primaries Tuesday

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has fixed December 9 and 10 for the House of Assembly and National Assembly primaries in Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi states.

    APGA had fixed November 20 for the House of Assembly primary and November 26 for the House of Representatives.

    According to a letter yesterday by APGA’s National Chairman Chief Victor Umeh in Abuja, the change in date was due to failure in logistic arrangements.

    The letter addressed to the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, was copied to the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in the three states.

     It reads: “Due to the failure of logistic arrangements, we are forced to reschedule the primaries in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states to December 9 and 10.”

    National Executive Committee (NEC) of APGA on November 3 approved the guidelines for the primaries as released by the National Working Committee (NWC) on October 21.

    In a statement, the NWC said: “At the end of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on November 3 at the national secretariat in Abuja, the NEC resolved as follows:

    “To approve and adopt the APGA electoral guidelines for primary election for 2015.

    “Having regard to the resignation of Chief Peter Obi as leader and chairman of APGA’s Board of Trustees (BoT), his subsequent defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the vacancy created in the office of the leader and chairman of the BoT, the National Executive Committee appointed Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano as leader and chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees.

    “Pursuant to the mandate given on January 18 by the National Executive Committee to the National Working Committee to fill vacancies in the NWC, the NEC also appointed Alexander Amujiogu as the acting deputy national secretary of the party.”

    The party’s NWC on October 21 released the schedule of activities for the primaries.

    “According to the schedule released after the NWC meeting  signed by the National Secretary, Dr. Abdulahi Sani Shinkafi, the purchase and return of expression of interest forms and nomination began on October 27 and ended on November 4.”

  • Ariaria market coalition backs Otti

    Ariaria market coalition backs Otti

    Ahead of the general elections, goodwill and endorsements have continued to come the way of Abia State All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship aspirant, Dr. Alex Otti.

    A coalition of stakeholders of Ariaria International Market and Ward 9, Aba North Local Government, last week joined other groups to support the first class economist.

    This is coming on the heels of a recent merit award to him by members of the National Association of Southeast Students, for his contributions to the development of education.

    The Ariaria market group, which paid a solidarity visit to Otti at Umuru in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government last Tuesday, said its decision to endorse him was based on the conviction that he would provide good leadership and address development challenges in Abia State if elected.

    The leader of the group, Uche Chukwudi, reminded Otti of his pledge during his official declaration for governorship that he would create the  Ministry of Aba Affairs and develop the city that it would be referred to as the “Japan of Africa”.

    The APGA governorship aspirant assured the group of his commitment to transform Aba into a modern city and an economic hub. He also promised to develop Abia State.

     

  • Assembly crisis: impeachment not the answer

    •Remembers how Okadigbo died

    The impeachment crisis rocking the National Assembly, has been described as not the answer to the current problem by the Member Representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency Hon. Victor Ogene.

    However, he debunked being part of the process seeking the impeachment of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    In a statement yesterday in Awka by his media aide, Edward Dibiana, stated that the clarification became necessary following ceaseless   inquiries regarding the stand of the lawmaker in the current crisis rocking the House of Representatives.

    According to the statement, “Besides being a top stalwart of the All Progressives Grand  Alliance (APGA), which has already endorsed President  Jonathan’s re-election bid, Hon. Ogene is of the firm believe   that such a move is not only unwarranted, but would also constitute an unnecessary distraction in the current efforts   at national healing, amid mounting security challenges”

    “I have neither seen any such notice of impeachment, nor would I be part of any such undertaking”, said Ogene.

    On the incident that led to scaling of the National Assembly gate last Thursday, Dibiana explained that the  action was necessitated by the desire of the lawmakers to   ensure their personal safety as the environment was besieged by strange elements, some of whom were hooded.

    “As you know, lawmakers got to the National Assembly gate at   different times. By the time some of them, including Hon.   Ogene, massed around the gate, they discovered that some   security operatives in plain clothes had infiltrated their   ranks and started releasing pepper spray on them, while calling for reinforcement”.

    “In the midst of the confusion, some of them decided to go over the gate, into the National Assembly complex, instead of leaving themselves open to torture and humiliation”.

    “Indeed, they had to choose between being bludgeoned and  pepper sprayed to death, or make good an escape. Remember  that the former Senate President, Late Chuba Okadigbo was killed in Kano after pepper spray was used on him. No one loves to be a dead hero” the statement said.

  • Still on Peter Obi’s exit from APGA

    Still on Peter Obi’s exit from APGA

    SIR: APGA has of recent witnessed some defections which should worry any serious member of APGA. One would have thought that APGA would have done a serious introspection to decipher what could be wrong. However, this appears not to be the case. Instead, the departure of these members seems to be celebrated by some. It is like saying their departure is good riddance to bad rubbish. It does not matter that a significant number of these departures represent the face of the party. Prominent among these is the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.

    Peter Obi, discharged his duties and responsibilities as the Governor of Anambra with distinction and this is not in doubt. What more, he entered the Government House a humble man and left a humble man.

    The impression being created that APGA being an Igbo party, and being endorsed by a respected Igbo leader like the Ikemba, one cannot serve Igbo interest except through APGA is neither here nor there. Yes, under normal circumstances, APGA would represent a viable platform for espousing Igbo interest. But where this proves difficult, common sense would dictate that one seeks an alternative platform to achieve the same result. This is why God endowed us as humans with reasoning faculty. Peter Obi himself has asserted that he remains loyal to Ikemba in terms of what serves the interests of Ndigbo. He went further to state that this does not imply that he would be loyal to a platform that some people have resolved to turn into an empty shell without an inner core of shared values.

    This is not the time to begin to elevate ourselves to high moral grounds to which some of us have no claim to. The blackmail being employed by some people to denigrate him would only confirm his assertion that the party has turned into ‘empty shell without an inner core of shared values. This should not be the case.

    It is also instructive to note the claim by some of the current leadership of APGA to the effect that Peter Obi’s departure will have no effect on APGA’s fortune. Nothing can be further from the truth.  APGA would have been dead if Peter did not fight for his mandate. We will not have an APGA Governor in Anambra today but for Peter Obi.  The failure to acknowledge what Peter meant to APGA and instead appropriate whatever APGA is today to oneself is a clear manifestation of a core problem in APGA. In every situation we find ourselves, truth must remain sacrosanct.

     

    • Uzochukwu Okafor,

    Namibia

  • Ex-Diamond Bank chief Otti dumps PDP

    Ex-Diamond Bank chief Otti dumps PDP

    •Picks APGA’s nomination form
    •Party amends schedule for primaries

    The former Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti, yesterday dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and picked the All Progressives Grand Alliance’s (APGA’s) nomination and expression of interest forms for the governorship poll in Abia State.

    The party has rescheduled its programmes for the governorship primaries.

    Picking the forms after paying N10million and N2million at the APGA national secretariat in Abuja, he said his decision to join the party was borne out of his belief in the party’s ideology and his determination to rescue Abia from collapse.

    Otti said: “I have left the PDP. Coming to APGA is like a home coming for me. I want to use this opportunity to thank you for welcoming me to your office and welcoming me home. I have always said APGA is not a party but a religion for Nigerians. Some of you will recall that when our national leader died, we did everything to make sure that he was given a befitting funeral. I was the chairman of the finance sub-committee.

    “I am very happy to be back home. We have a mission to take back our state and put it on the path of progress and industrialisation. We have started the journey.”

    APGA’s National Chairman Chief Victor Umeh, welcoming Otti to the party, assured aspirants on the party’s platform of a level-playing field, noting that it was determined to win more seats in next year’s elections.

    His words: “Dr. Otti has, after consultations, decided to come to APGA, the party on whose platform he can win the governorship election in Abia State. Let me once more welcome you to our national secretariat. I saw you at the PDP secretariat not long ago. Are you still in the party? Their loss should be our gain. We are delighted to have you here, and not only that, announcing your resignation from the PDP and joining APGA, a party you have described as a movement for Nigerians.

    “I assure you that APGA is happy to have you as a member. You are a distinguished Nigerian, who made Diamond Bank one of the strongest banks in the country. Coming to us to contest on our party’s platform is a relief, as Abia needs a man who has the ability. We have been reading about the dilapidated infrastructure in the state, especially in Aba. “With you, APGA is close to the Government House in Umuahia. We are happy that you have the contacts to mobilise funds to fix Abia. When this news spreads that you are now in APGA, your co-aspirants will return to the drawing board.

    “Abia votes are there for APGA to grab. You are a man of impeccable character. We shall give you the support and opportunities you need to succeed.”

    Umeh urged unity in the party.

    APGA, in a statement, said its ward congresses to elect ad hoc delegates, scheduled to start on November 12, was postponed till November 25.

    The House of Assembly primaries fixed for November 20 was shifted to December 3. House of Representatives primary election scheduled for November 26 would now hold on December 4.

    The Senate primaries slated for December 1 would hold  on December 6 and the governorship primary election fixed for December 6 will hold on December 8.

  • Controversy over APGA’s electoral guidelines

    There is a controversy over the electoral guidelines of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State.

    The party’s former secretary and a lawyer, Chief Okoli Akirika, described its guidelines as unconstitutional, undemocratic and exclusionary.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Awka, Akirika, the ex-commissioner for Lands, said that the majority of APGA members opposed the guidelines, adding that the situation was worrisome.

    According to him, “APGA members are kicking against the guidelines because it is a clear and an unpardonable conflict with the party’s constitution.”

    Quoting Article 10 Paragraph 4 of APGA’s constitution, which deals with the composition of state congresses, Akirika said the section created the state congress and spelt out its composition, adding that there was nowhere in it that mentioned governorship aspirants, women, youth leaders, among others.

    Said he: “The APGA constitution has stipulated the composition and functions of the organs. It says 10 delegates from each ward, but in the guidelines, it is three.”