The embattled All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA), has decided to forgive all those it considered as ‘dissidents’, “that had a hand in the crises that have nearly torn the once cohesive political party apart in recent time”.
Also, having reminisced on its political journey and fortunes so far, the national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, at a gathering of the party’s stakeholders across the South East zone in Ogidi, Idemili North Council of Anambra state yesterday said there was no really any love lost. That he harbors no malice towards anyone, not even to Gov Peter Obi or Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Alor.
He however pointed out that no one who rode to victory on the crest of the party would be allowed again to maintain any real or imagined larger than life image of himself/herself or grow above the party.
The party, Umeh noted, would remain supreme. He bemoaned what he saw as political abomination by the Anambra state Governor against the spirit and vision of the founding fathers of the party by sowing seed of discord and disunity in the party. He therefore urged every member to return for the common good.
He pleaded that Obi and his team should concede to the court verdict and return for them to work together again, disclosing that it remain only about just 9months for him to bow out. “He therefore should leave a good legacy in the party. He should not see himself as the party’s champion or its alter ego. Let’s get back together. Let all this confusion stop. I refuse to accept or recognise the purported expulsion of anyone, or the removal of any of the elected executives.
When taken by journalists on the future plans, the confident Umeh said, “to Awka Government House of course. We will not relent. We are going to retain the governorship seat. From the massive turn-out today, you can see the actual people who staked their all to make Obi governor twice.
According to him, “many lost their limbs, properties, friends and families in order to make him governor but were abandoned. The wounds are healing. We will win again, as we have crossed all hurdles.
On who to present in the forthcoming guber poll in the state, Umeh disclosed that he’s going to be “an all season winner”.
The Anambra state deputy chairman, Chief Ifeanyi Udokwu who hosted the meeting in his country home noted that the large turnout was indication of the massive support Umeh enjoys. That the gathering was just to brief members that the party is alive and well, and to bolster their energy and drive for more victories in the future elections.
The former Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Goddy Ezenagu said it was part of the re-organisation of the party ahead of the forthcoming governorship election
