BY BONIFACE Okeke
Over 200 members of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Anambra state have left the party and joined the Labour Party,LP, saying that their action was to make sure that the incumbent state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo is not re-elected for a second term as governor.
The decampees who were mainly APGA members in Ogbaru local government area of the state were received at the Onitsha Holiday Resort field at the weekend by the chairman of Labour Party in Ogbaru local government area, Chief Emeka Nwosu, assisted by the member representing Ogbaru federal constituency in the House of Representatives and leader LP Caucus in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Ogene; LP governorship aspirant in the coming 2025 Anambra state governorship election, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo and several other stalwarts of the LP in the local government.
Leader of the APGA decampees, a former aspirant for Ogbaru 1 constituency of the state House of Assembly under the party's platform during the 2023 general election, Hon. Ndubuisi Igwilo stated that they decided to leave APGA to make sure that the state governor, Prof Soludo was not re-elected for a second term in office.
In addition to accusing Soludo of working against Obi's presidential ambition during the 2023 general, Igwilo also stated that Soludo has performed poorly in the past two years of his administration and vowed that they would make sure that Soludo did not win second term in office.
Igwilo said "I was formerly in APGA, but currently in the Labour Party. I led the decampees into the LP. We decided to leave APGA to join the LP because as you can see the LP is the party for the people and most of the elected members are at the center too.
"Our principal, Mr Peter Obi, has shown good character and good example in the LP and we are here to support him in his pursuit for a country that is working for all of us. We left APGA because the slogan, 'APGA bu nke ayi' has become a mere statement and the promises they gave us in Anambra last time are not being fulfilled and that is why the people are disillusioned. He has failed in his promises, he did not even do one.
"He promised us he would conduct local government elections after two years as governor in office, but this is going to three years, he has failed to do that, and, he is looking for another tenure, it doesn't make sense. Any politician that made promises during election and failed should not be giving another opportunity.
"I think it's high time for Ndi Anambra to try another party and see what they can do because nothing tangible is happening in Anambra. The roads he is building are things a local government chairman can do if election is conducted.
"It is not an achievement that a governor will come and do borehole and be announcing it all over the places, I, myself I can do borehole for the people. These are things individuals can do" , Igwilo stated further.
"My expectations are high as we joined the Labour Party, the Labour Party elected officials are really doing well, those at the house of Assembly forfeited their six months salaries for the people, all across the country, LP officials are really doing very well" he also stated.
Also receiving the decampees, Hon. Ogene who is also the Chairman, Committee on Renewable Energy in the House of Representatives, commended them for their courage and act of patriotism in joining the Labour Party since Governor Soludo's APGA had disappointed Ndi Anambra with his leadership policies, including his failure to conduct local government election as he promised during his campaign period.
Ogene said, "It is not about constructing roads alone. Even an individual can construct roads but the nitty gritty of governance lies in the ability of a governor to settle disputes, maintain adequate security and manage the affairs of the state effectively.
"There is no disunity in LP whether you are from the North, West, East or South, the LP is open at all times. It is good to enter into a place that is good and you must enter on time. You have come to strengthen the party and together we will work together to take over Anambra in 2025."
Also in his speech Ozigbo expressed joy over the action of the decampees and said that he had been vindicated in his assessment of Soludo as having failed the state.
Ozigbo said, "I am happy to witness what is going on today. You have taken a fantastic decision that will help to ensure that LP produces the next Anambra governor. I have asked Ndi Anambra and the verdict is that the governor is not doing well. So, we are using this point to say that he must vacate the Government House in 2025.
"Governor Chukwuma Soludo's time is up. He cannot come back for a second term because he has disappointed Ndi Anambra. It is now left for the Labour Party to take over.
"He has failed in his responsibilities to live up to the expectations and I think Anambra people will dispense with him and bring in Labour Party in 2025 with me as the Chief shepherd to harness the potential of the state", Ozigbo said further.
Leader of the decampees donated about 200 bags of 10kg of rice to the LP party members including a ward office at Okpoko.