The All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) in Abia State has suffered a major blow as its entire membership in Ukwa West, from Ward to LGA executives, numbering over 2000 dumped the crisis ridden party and joined the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Speaking on behalf of the former APGA members, their leader, Bar. Emeka Adiele, stated that it was the collective decision of APGA faithfuls in Ukwa West to join the PDP.
He cited the good leadership of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who he described as a humble leader, who has worked so hard to unite Abia politically.
Adiele described Governor Ikpeazu as a democrat who gives every party in the state a level playing field unlike what it was when the opposition parties were not allowed access to carry out their political activities.
His words: “My Governor, I want to inform you that those you have seen here today are members of APGA in Ukwa West alone. We are more that 2000. These include politicians of note. Nobody lobbied us to leave our former party. We decided to leave when we noticed the visionless leadership in APGA, particular in Abia State. We become worried about the crisis in the party, and said to ourselves that we can’t continue in a party of rancor and deceit.
“My Governor, our second major reason for leaving APGA is that we said to ourselves that as Ukwa people, we can’t afford to be elsewhere when our Ukwa-Ngwa brothers and sisters are in PDP. We decided to join you in PDP because you have done very well. In the last 3 years you have done what those before you couldn’t do in 8 years.
“You have provided leadership that has united Abia politically. Under your leadership in Abia, the state is calm and united. Even those in other parties are commending your leadership, a lot of them will not join you in PDP as we have done today, but I can tell you that they love you, they support and they will vote for you in 2019. No Governor in Abia since 1999 to date, has given the opposition the level playing field like you have done. We have heard your good testimonies how you forgive and also welcome even those who tried to look down on you as Governor. You didn’t use the powers in the office of the Governor against such people.
“So we the members of APGA in Ukwa West have returned to you, please take us as one of your own. Treat us as your people that we are. Listen to our problems and help us to address them. Please Governor, allow your caterpillar revolution to get to Ukwa west as in other parts of the state.”
Receiving them, the leader of the PDP in Ukwa West, Chief Sam Nwaogu, assured them that all their rights and privileges would be granted to them as members of the party, noting that their decision was the best.
“My Governor, let me say it here that Adiele and these men that are joining us from APGA today are very strong grassroots politicians with large followership in this our local government. We are happy they have join us today, we welcome them and assure them that all their rights and privileges will be given to them as members of our party the PDP and not as new comers.” Nwaogu said.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu praised the decampees for choosing the umbrella which he said was big enough to accommodate all.
He promised not to disappoint them and described their actions as a show of love and encouragement for him to do more.
“I welcome you to our party. I see your decision to join our party as an endorsement of the work we have been doing in the past 3 years. It is also a show of love and encouragement for me as the Governor to do more. I promise that my administration will not disappoint you. We will continue to do our best for our state and our people.”
The Chief Whip of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Mezie Ubani, issued the new PDP cards to Bar. Emeka Adiele on behalf of others.
