17th September, 2014
Press Release
The Chief Maxi Okwu leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance commends the Save Awgu Forum, Enugu (SAFE) rejection of zoning formula of the Peoples Democratic Party in the State and its decision to contest all elective positions in the 2015 general election.
The position of Save Awgu Forum, Enugu is in tandem with the stance of APGA on the issue. The Okwu-led APGA is not part of PDP’s myopic, undemocratic zoning formula calculated to cause confusion and marginalize the good people of Enugu State. It is outrageous and unacceptable.
Governor Sullivan Chime has no right in a representative democracy to decide which zone in Enugu State will produce the next Governor. His ill-conceived attempt to zone the governorship slot is the height of executive recklessness and autocracy which the people of the State will resist.
Governor Chime is not a product of any zoning formula in 2007 when he won the gubernatorial election in the State neither his predecessor Governor Chimaroke Nnamani in 1999. All zones in Enugu State have always contested all elective positions including the governorship slot and will contest same in 2015 general election. It is obvious that power belongs to the people and not to a cabal in the Government House.
Chime’s purported zoning formula especially the governorship is not popular even with his embattled PDP in the State. It is an evil wind he concocted to cause division and polarize the State for his selfish aggrandizement.
APGA welcomes the creation of new States across the country with all geo-political zones having eight States, which means the creation of two States in North West, North Central, South West, and South South, three in South East and one in North East that has seven States. This is the only way to redress our lopsided federal structure.
APGA enjoins politicians to imbibe issue-based politics and shun violence in all its ramifications. INEC should provide a level playing field for all political parties to ensure free, fair, credible and acceptable election in 2015.
Victor Eneh
Senior Special Assistant Media to
Chief Maxi Okwu, National Chairman APGA
