Nov 15, 2017: Emeka Ojukwu jnr, son of the founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, has dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Mr. Ojukwu made his declaration on Wednesday in Awka, at the grand finale campaign of the APC candidate for the Anambra 2017 governorship election, Tony Nwoye.
President Muhammadu Buhari, APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, 12 APC governors, National Assembly members in the party, among other party big wigs, witnessed the event.
According to him, his decision to join the party was to protect the interest of the Igbos.
Mr. Ojukwu, who was adorned in a toga of his new party, said it was time for the people of the South-east region to move from “the recession of the periphery to the centre.”
“It is time to leave the shadows for light. Every now and then, they come out with my father’s shadow to confuse the people,” he said.
According to him, APGA is a means to an end but not an end itself.
He said the reason why his father joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic was to ensure that Igbo people remained in the mainstream of Nigerian politics.
“Mr. President, I am proud to stand here today in support of you and in solidarity with the APC and our candidate, Tony Nwoye,” he added.
Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo says President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the South-east especially Anambra, was to extend a hand of fellowship to the people and to fix the political bridge that that links the centre to the region.Mr. Okorocha said this while addressing party faithful at the grand finale campaign of the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Anambra governorship election scheduled to hold on Saturday.
“I see your visit as not only to campaign for Tony Nwoye but to extend your hand of fellowship to the people of the South-east.
“It is indeed a turning point; be rest assured that Igbos love you.”
Mr. Okorocha said there was nothing wrong with other candidates contesting the poll, but noted that Mr. Nwoye’s victory would ensure that the political bridge between the centre and the region was fixed.
In his speech, Governor Mohammed Abubakar of Bauchi said Igbos are too important to the federation to operate at the peripheral level.
“Let nobody deceive you into believing that APC is a sectional party; leaders of the party are from various sections of the country.
“The evolution to take you back to the mainstream has commenced; we want you to cash in by voting Nwoye on Saturday,” Mr. Abubakar, also the chairman, National Campaign Committee for Anambra Governorship election, added.
The APC national chairman presented the party symbol to him and described the rally as “another historic campaign.”
Mr. Oyegun recalled that Mr. Buhari made history when he unseated the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan in 2015, saying that the same feat would be achieved in Anambra 2017 governorship election.
The national chairman urged the people of the state to vote en mass for the party and Mr. Nwoye at the Saturday poll.
(NAN)