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Chief Jerry Obasi in the 2015 general election, was former Deputy Governorship Candidate of APGA in Ebonyi State, and is also former Deputy National Secretary of APGA.
What is the true situation in your party, APGA now. Edozie Njoku and Victor Oye are still laying claims to the Chairmanship of the party. Who is the authentic Chairman of APGA as at today?
The issues in APGA are very pathetic ones. There are two very active National Chairmen in the persons of Chief victor Oye and chief Edozie Njoku. However, this drama in APGA is a deliberate invention and creation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). There has been a pronouncement by the Supreme Court which remains the apex and last court of whatever instance whatsoever. The Supreme Court position to the much I know is unambiguous. But INEC, being the regulatory agency of political parties decided to keep making a meal of the leadership imbroglio in APGA which to me is the highest mischief of all time.
The unfortunate thing is that INEC has chosen perdition in the place of honor. This ugly scenario leaves candidates who ran for office under the platform of APGA in between the Red sea and the monster. One way or the other, the fortunes of APGA were grossly affected when politically aggregated. In the actual sense, INEC should be taken to court to make an official pronouncement on APGA.They are cutting their pie from both ends which is the height of hypocrisy.
With the crises in APGA, do you see the party coming out stronger; people say it will affect Soludo’s re-election especially given the Peter Obi factor in Anambra?
On Soludo’s second term chances, well the issue is in the balance. Soludo should be the architect of his own political fortunes or overleaf. The scorecard before the good people of Anambra should be their Governor’s performance and not Obi’s factor as it were. Mr Peter Obi and Professor Chukwuma Soludo are two very strategic characters in the Anambra political-leadership process. One, a sitting governor, the other, a former governor, Presidential hopeful and heir of the OBIDIENT movement. In my humble opinion, Soludo should have a second term, other things being equal. Let us concentrate on his work and avoid joining issues like we witnessed before the presidential election.The euphoria that greeted his election as governor should be sustained.
Mr. Peter Obi of Labour Party claims he won the Presidential election and is already in court to reclaim same. Do you agree with him and what is your take on the internal crises in the party?
Yes, I totally agree with him. And his pursuit to recover his victory via the tribunal is a noble one. Though the Nigeria courts are no more the court we used to know. But in every democratic settings, there has to be a developmental formula and strategy which sustains or destroys her democratic evolution. 2023 election must be properly managed to sustain our hard earned democracy as a people and nation. Permit me to juxtapose the recent happenings in the labour party which has taken a dangerous toll on the existenciality of Labour Party. Without being cynically immodest, the entire brouhaha that has engulfed the party was avoidable. Are they arguing that the former national Chairman did not forge signatures? What was the case between Splendor Eze of Ebonyi State and Barr Abure & others.Why was the name of Edward Nkewegu alias EDON still in the INEC portal as the governorship candidate of Labour Party in Ebonyi? Why did Abure make it impossible for Fidelis Nwankwo’s name to be substituted to become gubernatorial candidate in Ebonyi? We knew what took place. I advise His Excellency, Mr peter Obi, to be wise and careful. I also enjoin Mr Apapa to desist from throwing away the baby and the bath water.
The battle for the Next President of the 10th Senate is raging. South East is making a strong case to take that position. Do you think the zone deserves it?
Yes. The Senate Presidency position is very strategic position to be occupied in the country. That is why every politician of note is losing sleep over who occupies that seat. Naturally, as it were presently, that seat should go to the South East. Also, that seat has to be saddled by a ranking APC Senator. And I pick SENATOR ORJI UZOR KALU, having been a progressive who have given his all politically, a detribalised Nigerian, astute businessman, former governor, a philanthropist, international personality, and a kind and humane personality should be supported to be the Senate President. He has my whole and entire support. Let Nigerians support and keep praying for him to be the next Senate president. He shall make things happen.
What is your take on the victory of the APC in the governorship election in Ebonyi State?
I received the victory of the APC in Ebonyi State with mixed feelings. In one sense, yes, the victory was deserved and on the other sense, no. The APC showed a sense of ambition. On the election proper, they were synergetic which a section of the opposition could not show. I applaud Professor Ben Odoh of APGA for his massive sense of character and political dexterity. Dr Ifeanyi Odii of PDP also did his best but his assemblage was a huge political tragedy. In Akaeze for instance, the PDP stalwarts mortgaged their principal (Odii) and proudly collected pittances from the ruling APC and voted against their party in broad daylight. Quite unfortunate and sad.
Governor David Umahi will be leaving office on May 29th, what is your assessment of his 8 years rule?
Governor David Umuhi did his best as Governor of Ebonyi State in his 8years of leadership but to me, he is not the messiah we had been waiting for. The Messiah is yet to come. We keep waiting.
