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Tag: APGA

  • Anambra PDP, APC, LP, APGA set for battle

    Anambra PDP, APC, LP, APGA set for battle

    The governorship election will hold in Anambra State on November 16. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU writes on the preparations for the poll by the major parties.

    IT is four months to the governorship election in Anambra State. Who takes over from Governor Peter Obi next year?

    The battle line is drawn among the mega All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) andPeoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Two of them-PDP and APGA – are swimming in unending leadership crises

    The major contestants for the seat have taken their consultation to the grassroots. They are Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, the only woman in the race, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia federal constituency, Sen. Chris Ngige, Dr Tony Nwoye, former President of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), and Dr Chike Obidigbo, the Chairman of Southeast Manufacturers Association of nigeria (MAN).

    Also, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has made his intention known recently in Abuja. Sen. Andy Uba and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu are still playing hide and sick game.

    Already, those whose fliers and posters have taken over the streets of Anambra are over 25, with some of them acting as spoilers for some of the big guns.

    But another person who seems to be serious in the governorship project is Sir Godwin Ezeemo, whose philanthropy has endured him to the people.

    The secretary to the state government in the state, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, is said to have made his intention known to some stakeholder. But his seriousness may be in doubt.

    The aspirants have gone round the 21 local government areas in the state to seek support from the grassroots. Others are displaying the siddon look attitude

    Ekwunife, Uba, Ngige, Ezeemo, Obidigbo, Nwoye have made impact on the electorate having traversed the length and breath of this state, appealing to the masses.

    The six have been to the 177 communities in Anambra including 327 wards to meet with the traditional rulers, stakeholders and the rural women to seek support.

    In APGA, it is going to be a battle royale between Ekwunife, Obidigbo and Obaze, but the former secretary to the state government, Chief Paul Odenigbo is also expected to make up impact.

    Many people believe that they have what it takes to govern Anambra State. But the problem they are facing is from the party that has been in leadership crisis onn their party for the past one year.

    The factions that exist in the APGA are holding Ekwunife back from visiting the party secretariat in Awka to officially announce her ambition. The woman does not need any introduction in the political scene. But she does not mince words in telling anybody that Chief Victor Umeh is the National Chairman of the party, adding that the problem in the APGA the is a family affair that will end soon.

    Obidigbo said that his desire to contest is not motivated by any selfish interest.

    He said he has the solution to the social, economic and political problems of the state.

    Obidigbo’s reason for choosing to run under APGA is that the party mirrors the Igbo spirit of enterprise and brotherly love.

    He said the party is a platform that wakes up the collective determination of every Igbo person to challenge the limitations and persecutions suffered by the group.

    Besides Obidigbo and Ekwunife, another person that has strong aspiration is the Capital Oil and Gas mogul, Ifeanyi Ubah, who joined the race over a year ago.

    His dilemma has been the crisis in the party. Ubah has visited the Labour Party Office in Awka to make enquires. One of his aides said recently in Awka that the oil magnate has decided to pitch his tent with LP.

    The APGA crisis has thrown him off balance as his major backer and supporter, Chief Victor Umeh, is fighting for the leadership of the party.

    LP, the Nation gathered, is battle ready for the contest. Some of the gladiators, including Senator Andy Ubah, Oil guru, Ifeanyi Ubah are also holding talks with the party.

    The chairman of the party, Hon. Sam Oraegbunam, told reporters that some of the people claiming membership of the party are not card-carrying members.

    He said that Labour Party was not a place for buying and selling, adding that the party would not to give its ticket to the highest bidder. He said that the party will give its ticket to a competent candidate who can win the election.

    However, the fear of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become the beginning of wisdom. The three heavyweights in the party are Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Annie Okonkwo and Sir Godwin Ezeemo.

    Ezeemo has relied heavily on his philanthropy that has endeared him to the people. Ngige has pedigree and legacies as a former governor. He ruled between 2003 and 2006.

    But the surprise package could be the former NANS President, Dr Tony Nwoye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is not leaving any stone unturned to get the ticket.

    Nwoye is an advocate of open and democratic primaries. He has vowed to resist the imposition of candidates.

    Nwoye has visited all the local government areas and some communities to inform them about his willingness to serve them.

    He was the backing of the chairman of PDP in the state. The party installed Andy Uba as governor in 2007. But he was deposed by the court.

    More aspirants may still join the race before the deadline.

    The battle for who succeeds Obi is the focal point now in the state and one of the aspirants from Labour Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is likely to succeed Obi.

     

     

     

     

  • Umeh and the future of APGA

    SIR: On July 15, the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu affirmed Chief Victor Umeh as national chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). The validation of Umeh’s position by the appellate court followed his appeal to an Enugu High Court judgement presided over by Justice Innocent Umezulike.

    The lower court had in its verdict on the case brought against the APGA national chairman by one Mr. Jude Okuli, ordered the removal of Umeh on the ground that his tenure had expired in 2010. It further pronounced as unconstitutional the 2011 National Convention, where Umeh and other National Working Committee (NWC) members were re-elected.

    With his latest victory at the Court of Appeal, Umeh may have breathed a great sigh of relief and perhaps can now comfortably sleep with his two eyes closed. But then, we may not have seen the end of the protracted leadership tussle in the party, particularly, as the opposing camp believed to be loyal to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, and led by Barrister Maxi Okwu has refused to accept the defeat in good faith. So, there may be more battles for Umeh to fight.

    Rather than warming up to continue with the war, I think what should be paramount in the minds of the combatants in APGA now is the survival and sustainable growth of their party. How the party would remain in control of Anambra State should be of great concern to the members now more than anything else.

    I would implore the Okwu-led faction of APGA to sheathe their swords, bury the hatchet and shelve any further fight to see how they can work together with Umeh so that victory can be theirs in the Anambra November 16 governorship ballot and other future elections.

    • Michael Jegede,

    Abuja

     

  • Anambra PDP, APC, LP, APGA set for battle

    Anambra PDP, APC, LP, APGA set for battle

    The governorship election will hold in Anambra State on November 16. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU writes on the preparations for the poll by the major parties.

    IT is four months to the governorship election in Anambra State. Who takes over from Governor Peter Obi next year?

    The battle line is drawn among the mega All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) andPeoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Two of them-PDP and APGA – are swimming in unending leadership crises

    The major contestants for the seat have taken their consultation to the grassroots. They are Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, the only woman in the race, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, representing Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia federal constituency, Sen. Chris Ngige, Dr Tony Nwoye, former President of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), and Dr Chike Obidigbo, the Chairman of Southeast Manufacturers Association of nigeria (MAN).

    Also, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has made his intention known recently in Abuja. Sen. Andy Uba and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu are still playing hide and sick game.

    Already, those whose fliers and posters have taken over the streets of Anambra are over 25, with some of them acting as spoilers for some of the big guns.

    But another person who seems to be serious in the governorship project is Sir Godwin Ezeemo, whose philanthropy has endured him to the people.

    The secretary to the state government in the state, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, is said to have made his intention known to some stakeholder. But his seriousness may be in doubt.

    The aspirants have gone round the 21 local government areas in the state to seek support from the grassroots. Others are displaying the siddon look attitude

    Ekwunife, Uba, Ngige, Ezeemo, Obidigbo, Nwoye have made impact on the electorate having traversed the length and breath of this state, appealing to the masses.

    The six have been to the 177 communities in Anambra including 327 wards to meet with the traditional rulers, stakeholders and the rural women to seek support.

    In APGA, it is going to be a battle royale between Ekwunife, Obidigbo and Obaze, but the former secretary to the state government, Chief Paul Odenigbo is also expected to make up impact.

    Many people believe that they have what it takes to govern Anambra State. But the problem they are facing is from the party that has been in leadership crisis onn their party for the past one year.

    The factions that exist in the APGA are holding Ekwunife back from visiting the party secretariat in Awka to officially announce her ambition. The woman does not need any introduction in the political scene. But she does not mince words in telling anybody that Chief Victor Umeh is the National Chairman of the party, adding that the problem in the APGA the is a family affair that will end soon.

    Obidigbo said that his desire to contest is not motivated by any selfish interest.

    He said he has the solution to the social, economic and political problems of the state.

    Obidigbo’s reason for choosing to run under APGA is that the party mirrors the Igbo spirit of enterprise and brotherly love.

    He said the party is a platform that wakes up the collective determination of every Igbo person to challenge the limitations and persecutions suffered by the group.

    Besides Obidigbo and Ekwunife, another person that has strong aspiration is the Capital Oil and Gas mogul, Ifeanyi Ubah, who joined the race over a year ago.

    His dilemma has been the crisis in the party. Ubah has visited the Labour Party Office in Awka to make enquires. One of his aides said recently in Awka that the oil magnate has decided to pitch his tent with LP.

    The APGA crisis has thrown him off balance as his major backer and supporter, Chief Victor Umeh, is fighting for the leadership of the party.

    LP, the Nation gathered, is battle ready for the contest. Some of the gladiators, including Senator Andy Ubah, Oil guru, Ifeanyi Ubah are also holding talks with the party.

    The chairman of the party, Hon. Sam Oraegbunam, told reporters that some of the people claiming membership of the party are not card-carrying members.

    He said that Labour Party was not a place for buying and selling, adding that the party would not to give its ticket to the highest bidder. He said that the party will give its ticket to a competent candidate who can win the election.

    However, the fear of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become the beginning of wisdom. The three heavyweights in the party are Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Annie Okonkwo and Sir Godwin Ezeemo.

    Ezeemo has relied heavily on his philanthropy that has endeared him to the people. Ngige has pedigree and legacies as a former governor. He ruled between 2003 and 2006.

    But the surprise package could be the former NANS President, Dr Tony Nwoye of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He is not leaving any stone unturned to get the ticket.

    Nwoye is an advocate of open and democratic primaries. He has vowed to resist the imposition of candidates.

    Nwoye has visited all the local government areas and some communities to inform them about his willingness to serve them.

    He was the backing of the chairman of PDP in the state. The party installed Andy Uba as governor in 2007. But he was deposed by the court.

    More aspirants may still join the race before the deadline.

    The battle for who succeeds Obi is the focal point now in the state and one of the aspirants from Labour Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is likely to succeed Obi.

  • Court of Appeal affirms Umeh as APGA chair

    Court of Appeal affirms Umeh as APGA chair

    Chief Victor Umeh is the chair of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Court of Appeal, sitting in Enugu, confirmed yesterday.

    There was tumultuous jubilation within the premises of the court as Umeh’s supporters sang and danced as soon as the judgment filtered out of the courtroom.

    Many of the supporters of the former factional chairman, Chief Maxi Okwu in the court premises immediately switched support for Umeh. Some of them started removing the Tee-shirts given to them by Okwu which they wore to court.

    The appelate court quashed the judgment of the Enugu State High Court delivered by the State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike on February 8. That judgment sacked the entire National Working Committee of APGA on the grounds that their tenure expired in 2010.

    In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Tom Yakubu, the appellate court granted all the four reliefs sought by the applicant (Umeh) and resolved all the issues set out for determination in his favour. Justices Paul Galinje (Chairman) and Modupe Kwasami associated themselves with the judgment.

    Justice Yakubu dismissed all the objections raised by the respondent, Jude Okuli, against the appeal saying the lower court had no jurisdiction ab initio to entertain the case brought before it, since according to him, the plaintiff having been expelled by his state chapter from the party, had no locus standi to institute the action.

    He said that even if Okuli was not expelled from the party, he was neither a contestant for the position of National Chairman or a member of the NWC whose interest may be affected if Umeh remains in office.

    On Okuli’s expulsion from the party, the court frowned at the decision of the lower court restoring him as a member of the party when he (Okuli) had in his affidavit admitted that he was expelled from the party, stressing that the trial judge went beyond his powers in granting a relief not sought by the plaintiff.

    “The court must concern itself to the issues submitted to it by parties, the judgment of the lower court smacks of a sympathizer weeping more than the bereaved and the court is not suppose to be a Father Christmas or a charitable organization.”

    “I am of the considered opinion that the respondent (Okuli) has no locus standi to institute the action and the trial court shouldn’t have wasted time trying the matter because it assumed jurisdiction which it did not possess.  There are several authorities that the courts should not interfere with the internal affairs of the political parties except on issue of wrongful substitution as contained in Section 87 (9) of the Electoral Act 1999 as amended,” Justice Yakubu ruled.

    On the issue of non-joinder of APGA as a political party, Justice Yakubu, held that since whatever reliefs sought in the matter were expected to be binding on APGA, it was completely wrong to exclude the party from the case as that amounted to “shaving a man’s head in his absence. “

    The court upheld the submissions of Chief Umeh’s lead counsels, Wole Olanipekun, (SAN) and Patrick Ikweto, (SAN) that the trial court overreached itself when it ruled that the APGA National Convention of November 10, 2011 was unconstitutional contending that it was the invalidation of the convention that was the fulcrum and basis for granting the erroneous injunctions that removed the appellant from office.

    “The respondent did not ask that the convention be cancelled, why do so? He was not asking to be sworn in as APGA National Chairman or that he won or participated as a contestant in the convention yet the lower court granted the extraneous reliefs he sought against the appellant.

    “We find this appeal not lacking in merit and consequently the appeal is allowed; the judgment of Justice Umezulike is hereby set aside, and a cost of N50,000 is hereby awarded in favour of the appellant,” the court ruled.

    The lower court in its ruling on the case against the APGA National Chairman by an expelled member of the party in Enugu State, Mr. Jude Okuli, ordered the removal of Umeh on the grounds that his tenure had expired and went ahead to declare the November 10, 2011 National Convention of the party where Umeh and other NWC members were re-elected as unconstitutional.

    Umeh thereafter proceeded to the appellate court to challenge the decision of the lower court and the court in the course of the proceeding, granted a stay of execution of the Umezulike’s judgment’s paving the way for Umeh to continue as APGA National Chairman pending the resolution of the substantive appeal.

    Umeh who was in court . He drove from straight to the burial site of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief  Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu accompanied by a large crowd of supporters including members of the National Working Committee of the party, former governorship candidate of the party in Imo State, Chief Martins Agbaso and the State Chairmen of the party.

    He said with the judgment, his confidence in the judiciary is rekindled.

    He attributed his victory to God and the tremendous support he enjoyed from party members.

    Addressing the large crowd of APGA members Umeh said: “God has vindicated me and APGA today.  We thank God Almighty.

    Before we leave this arena, may I thank the Nigerian judiciary, this has restored our confidence in the judiciary. This is a case of David and Goliath. We did not have money the big pockets but God gave us victory because we have God.  From today, by the decision handed down by this Court of Appeal, our party is coming back. “

    he also thanked his team of lawyers led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), members of APGA NWC, stalwarts, stakeholders and the members of the party for their unflinching support during the trying period, Umeh, however, assured the leadership of the party in Anambra State that was purportedly sacked by Governor Peter Obi’s faction, that they remained the authentic executive of the party in the state.

    He assured that APGA would win the Governorship election in Anambra State later in the year, saying the hurdle placed on the way of the party had been completely lifted by the decision of the Court of Appeal.

     

  • Appeal Court affirms Umeh as APGA chairman

    Appeal Court affirms Umeh as APGA chairman

    Chief Victor Umeh was on Monday affirmed as the authentic national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) by the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu.

    There was a tumultuous jubilation within the premises of the court as Umeh supporters sang and danced as soon as the news of the judgment filtered out.

    Incidentally, most supporters of the factional chairman of the party, Maxi Okwu, who were in the court immediately, swayed their support to Umeh’s camp with some of them stripping off the T-shirts given to them by Okwu.

    The appellate court quashed the February 8 judgment of the Enugu State High Court delivered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, that sacked the entire National Working Committee of APGA on the ground that their tenure expired in 2010.

    In a lead judgment delivered by Justice Tom Yakubu, the appellate court granted all the four reliefs sought by the applicant (Umeh) and resolved all the issues set out for determination in his favour.

    The other two judges – Justices Paul Galinje (Chairman) and Modupe Kwasami aligned themselves with the verdict.

     

     

  • Imo APGA, PDP prepare for fresh re-run

    Imo APGA, PDP prepare for fresh re-run

    Political parties are back to the drawing board in preparation for a repeat of the Imo State House of Assembly re-run election for the Oguta constituency, which has been declared inconclusive in eight wards by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Correspondent okodili ndidi writes on why the election is important to all the stakeholders.

    The recent Imo State House of Assembly re-run election for the Oguta Constituency has become a big political puzzle, which many people in the state and across the country are battling to unravel. The reason is clear. Multiple results have been brandished by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) the as the authentic results.

    More worrisome is the fact that, despite the parties’ claim to victory, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has held tenaciously to its position that there was no winner in the election. it has declared the election in eight wards inconclusive.

    But both parties, relying on different result allegedly signed by the INEC officials, insisted that their candidates won the election and should be issued a Certificate of Return. They accused each other of bribing the officials to falsify the result.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha was the first to congratulate the APGA candidate, Mr. Walter Uzonwanne, for emerging the winner of the election, after he was said to have scored a total of 9,595 votes as against the PDP candidate, Eugene Dibiagwu, who got 7, 584 votes.

    But the PDP, which equally has a signed election result in its favour, insisted that it won the election with 7, 585 votes while APGA got 7, 241 votes. The governor, who copiously displayed a result sheet signed by INEC Returning Officer in the election, Dr Cynthia Oguike, in favour of APGA, asked the commission to declare the APGA flag bearer as the winner and issue him with a Certificate of Return.

    According to him, “INEC was at the verge of announcing the result when they suddenly got a call from somebody at the top and immediately retired to a closed door meeting after which it announced that the election was inconclusive. How can it say the election is inconclusive just because the APGA candidate won. If it were the PDP that won the election, INEC will not declare it inconclusive”.

    But the PDP leadership, which also congratulated their candidate, insisted that the party won the election, despite the alleged intimidation and harassment by the security operatives, who they alleged, were incited by the government.

    The State Chairman of the party, Eze, Duruiheoma (SAN), alleged that weeks before the election, Okorocha had issued directives to all the traditional rulers and senior civil servants in the area to deliver the APGA candidate or lose their positions. This explains the violence and desperation that greeted the election, he said.

    Duruiheoma also alleged that commissioners were assigned areas to deliver in the election or risk dismissal, although most of them are not from Oguta.

    The PDP boss lamented that the development had ridiculed the state in the comity of civilized people, stressing that the governor should represent all the people and not a section.

    Duruiheoma explained that the result presented by the PDP contradicted to that of the state government and APGA, based on the valid result of the votes already cast. He disclosed that PDP is aware of plans by the state government to use a customary court Judge to swear in the APGA candidate.

    Although INEC agreed that one of the parties is leading with 2011 votes, but it declined to identify the winning party. The Oguta Constituency election has become a major issue in Imo State politics. The ruling party, APGA, and the foremost opposition party, PDP, have been locked in fierce battle over who wins the oil-rich, council area.

    To analysts, the election will determine who controls the political machinery in the state, ahead of the 2015 general elections. For the PDP, which occupied the seat before it was nullified by the Court, failure to win the Oguta re-run will further deplete its already battered image.

    The reason the election is generating such attention is not far- fetched. The state governor has not hidden his interest in the election. At one of the campaign rallies for the APGA candidate, he told the party supporters that the election was not about the candidate, but a critical support for his administration.

    Another controversial dimension to the election is the seeming external interest, which has helped in heating up the polity. During the election, security operatives were mobilised from outside the state, especially from Abuja, to beef up security.

    Expectedly, during the election, the various troop who were obviously working at cross purposes, were the first group to clash. But for the timely intervention of senior officers who openly criticised the mobilisation of troop for an ordinary re-run election for one constituency.

    INEC despite the earlier assurances of credible polls, seemed inundated by the turn of events and declared it inconclusive, to the chagrin of the people of Oguta Constituency, who have not had a representative since the inception of the current House, more than two years ago.

    While waiting for the next round of election, the political parties have gone back to the drawing board to re-strategise on how to outwit each other.

  • Reconciliation is tough in APGA, says Ufomba

    Reconciliation is tough in APGA, says Ufomba

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Committee, Chief Reagan Ufomba, spoke with Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU on the protracted leadership tussles and way out of the crises.

    What is the latest on the APGA reconciliation?

    Our national chairman, Chief Maxi Okwu, set up a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Committee with us as members. We have been going round the country and we started with the Southeast where we met with Chief Victor Umeh, the very first day after our inauguration. We also met with the deputy national leader of our great party, Sir Peter Obi. We met with another leader and statesman, Chief Nwogbu Alor. Our train moved to Imo State where we met with one of our Igbo leaders, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the MASSOB leader. We have also been talking on phone to many stakeholders, including the wife of our late leader, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu. Today, we have met with one of the leaders of our party, Barrister Obinna Obiegwe. We are in search of unity in our party. It is believed that in the end, we will have a united, cohesive, peaceful and ready to go APGA party in Nigeria.

    What has the committee achieved, so far?

    We have made giant strides in that we were able to talk to stakeholders, both those who are happy and aggrieved and they are opening up.

    As it is always said, a problem known is half solved. We have in our data base, a collection of issues, that are treatable, that are solvable, that we are solving and that we are going to solve so that we will have a one family APGA in the nearest future.

    That is why we are in Lagos today to talk with our stakeholders who include Barrister Obinna Obiegwe, Martins Agbaso one of our leaders from Imo and his junior brother was the former deputy governor of Imo traditional heads and opinion leaders in Ibo land.

    What was your meeting with Umeh like, given that he has also constituted a reconciliation committee?

    It does not matter how many committees that are in place to bring about peace, what is important is the achiement of that objective which is a united APGA. I also did tell you that we met Sir Victor Umeh, the following day after our inauguration and that alone is a remarkable success. I want to also inform that we are very hopeful that everybody is willing to make concessions in the interest of our party, in the interest of democracy in Nigeria and in the interest of Igboland where APGA is very, very dominant. People see APGA as their religion in that part of the country and we are drumming this to their very consciousness and it is making sense to all the people we have spoken to.

    What of the Imo State governor?

    We will see the governor as soon as we successfully book appointment with him. You know, he is a very busy governor and the moment we track him down, we will talk with him. For now, we have not been able to track him down.

    How did Umeh receive you and what did you discuss?

    We discussed about peace.

    How did he receive you?

    We were well received. We were inaugurated on Monday (penul-timate week) and on Tuesday we were in his house at about 12 noon. He waited for us, he met with us and everybody saw the need for unity in the party and everybody saw the need to make concessions because as far as this committee is concerned, there is no way we can bring about peace and unity unless people are willing to concede one thing or another and that is what we have been telling them and I think they are going to abide by that.

    But, in spite of receiving you, there are reports that he is standing his ground as the chairman of the party.

    We were not expecting an automatic answer or concession from him. This committee will also bring other stakeholders who have interest in Igbo land, in democracy and democracy in Nigeria to prevail on them and already we have picked some people that will help us broker peace. But to the best of our knowledge, I think peace is near.

    Now that the election is at hand, is this not a tough one?

    I agree it is a tough one, but there are also legal and political solutions to political issues. Look at what is happening in PDP. The leader of the party asked certain people to resign and they have resigned in the overall interest of the party. If it becomes absolutely necessary, we will apply the same method in APGA to ensure that we move forward. So, we are not ruling out anything.

    This committee is about truth and injustice. So, what truth has emerged and what injustice has been complained about?

    The truth as so far catalogued are being put together. we will not reveal everything all at the same time. but the truth is that there is need for us to recognise that there is a leader in the party and that there is party leadership. So, if we are able to note and reckon with the fact that parties do not exist in a vacuum, that parties exist for purposes of electing political office holders whom we must respect, that peace is near.

    So, who is that leader?

    Our leader as agreed in the party is Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu. He remains our leader, it is agreed it is written and Governor Peter Obi remains our deputy national leader. We owe him allegiance whether as party chairmen or as political leaders in the party. We found also from Umeh that he assumed his position as the chairman by virtue of affirmation and that there was no ward congress, no local government congress, no state congress that elected the national delegates and he admitted that it was mere affirmation.

    So, what is your fall back position, if all these efforts do not succeed?

    As a political party duly registered by INEC and functioning as so, we have the capacity to resolve our crisis whatever it is and that is why you have this committee.

    Most of the stakeholders are definitely talking so, the issue of plan B does not arise.

    Some of your members are already holding talks with other parties

    But so are other parties holding talks with us. As we talk to you, we have recorded 70% success in this assignment. I am talking to you factually.

    So, who do the state chapters relate with?

    Let me tell you, in most of the meetings I have attended, I saw them with Maxis Okwu, and for your information, if you check out the members of the NWC that were with Umeh, Umeh has only three of them.

    Let me tell you that besides this committee, there is another reconciliation committee (constituted by Umeh) and the chairman of that committee is allegedly a member of APGA. He is from the same state with him (Imo Chairman) and he knows that he is not a member of APGA.

    So, when you set up a structure outside the party because you have lost so much ground where you cannot agree with the BoT, you do not agree with the wife of our leader, you do not agree with the governor produced by the party, you do not agree with your deputy north, your deputy south, your national youth leader, your national women leader, and all these zonal vice chairmen and what you do is that you are alone and you are bringing people to answer APGA…

    I was the candidate in Abia State, I know where I stand even as the chairman of this reconciliation committee and most of the stakeholders are here. So you can see where one man is almost becoming the forest and we are saying no to that. While we must tell the world the truth, we are still amenable to reconciliation, to peace anchored on this truth as revealed to you.Even from the leadership of that committee you can see the bent or slant of the leadership under Umeh. We are not indicting him because we are here to make peace and to make reconciliation but these are things that we must correct, if we must have a strong and purposeful party called APGA.

  • APGA reconciliation on course, says chieftain

    APGA reconciliation on course, says chieftain

    The Chairman of the Truth, Justice and reconciliation Committee of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Reagan Ufomba, has assured that the party will come out stronger, following the conclusion of its reconciliation.

    He said though reconciliation is a tough mission, the agenda is worthwhile and achievable.

    The politician urged the party members to work for its peace and progress.

    Accompanied by the committee members, including Eugene Orizu, Chris Azubogu, Obi Okafor, Alhaji Tijani Idris, Samuel Ebogbodiri, Chief Ray Morphy, Hajia Zainab Abdullahi and Ezekiel Adegboyega, the committee chairman also said legal and political solutions would be applied to restore peace to the party.

    He acknowledged the existence of another reconciliation committee, which was set up by the factional National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh.

    Ufomba said the party’s stalwarts were prepared to make concessions in the interest of the party.

    He said: “We have been going round the country and meeting with the various stakeholders. We have met with Chief Victor Umeh, the National Deputy Leader, Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Ralph Nwazuruike. We are in contact with Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu. We are in search of unity for our party. In the end, we will have a united, cohesive, peaceful and progressive APGA.”

  • ‘Ubah never an APGA member’

    A Governorship aspirant in Anambra State, Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, was never a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), it was revealed yesterday.

    His campaign organisation debunked the claims that the aspirant had altercations with APGA Chairman, Sir Victor Umeh.

    The campaign’s spokesman, Jerry Obidike, said: “For the record, Ifeanyi Ubah was never a member of APGA, so, the issue of dumping APGA is neither here nor there.

    “It is true that Ubah had supported APGA financially or otherwise. This support arose out of his philanthropic spirit, which cuts across political affiliations.

    “He decided to leave the sinking ship and use the Labour Party (LP) to achieve his governorship ambition next year.

    “Ubah believes that his ambition would be better realised in a party with one spirit and a party that affiliates with the yearnings of the masses.”

     

  • APGA chairman survives assassination attempt in Ebonyi

    APGA chairman survives assassination attempt in Ebonyi

    Chief Jerry Obasi, the Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi, said on Tuesday that he narrowly escaped assassination on Monday in Abakaliki.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki that four gunmen allegedly attacked him at his Hill Top residence.

    Obasi said that the gunmen waited for him near his house and waylaid him as he parked a vehicle to put a call through to a friend.

    “As I was waiting for my friend, a tall, young man with a Kalashinov gun approached me and as I asked him what the problem was, a short fellow appeared from nowhere and brandished a pistol.

    “He told me not to move or he would shoot me but I summoned courage and hit them with the car’s door which caused their fall.

    “I jumped out from the car immediately and ran for my dear life and was hearing one of them shouting ‘shoot him, shoot him”, he said.

    He alleged that the gunmen zoomed off in the car and was grateful to God for sparing his life.

    He lamented that the incident took place few metres away from a police check point, saying that the spate of insecurity had become alarming.

    “I reported the matter immediately to the police authorities in the state which assured me that the gunmen would be arrested and the vehicle recovered,” he said.

    When contacted,  the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Sylvester Igbo, confirmed the incident, saying that they had opened investigation into the matter.

    “We have sent our signals around and are determined to apprehend the culprits and recover the car.

    “We want to assure the residents and citizens of the state of our readiness to reduce the crime rate and protect their lives and property,” he said.