Defections from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) appear to set the stage for a media war between it and its former loyalists.
Victor Umeh
APGA members in the House of Representatives who recently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) include Lilian Ekwunife, Victor Ogene (Media and Public Affairs Committee Deputy Chairman), Chris Azubogu (Capital Market Committee Deputy Chairman) and Cyril Egwuatu.
All alleged marginalisation by Anambra State Governor, Willy Obiano.
One alleged that the Obiano administration has cornered most political appointments meant for Anambra North Senatorial District where he hails from, to the detriment of other zones where the federal lawmakers are from.
Before now, Senator Chris Anyanwu had left APGA for the PDP where she is vying for the governorship ticket in her state, Imo.
Good riddance
APGA dismissed the defections as good riddance to bad rubbish, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Okwekwe Ibiam.
Ibiam expressed relief “at being divested of members who have no plans to help build and consolidate the momentous strides and gains of our great party.”
He said the defectors are “perennial election ticket hunters” who declare allegiance where they may be favoured with a ticket, and APGA cannot build itself with such people.
He added that APGA is also “disturbed” by the character of men and women “who hawk, run and throw themselves at the feet of the PDP national secretariat for acceptance.”
In his view, the electorate “do not require such individuals of easy virtue in APGA. An event that usually has fanfare with party bigwigs in attendance has now been made routine with the ‘prodigal children’ selling their birth right and clutching at clay structures for acceptance. Any acceptance.
“Such shame. Someone should remind them that the seasonal rains are here. To cap their discomfiture and disgrace, they were described as ‘prodigal’ to their face.
“APGA will effectively campaign to recover the seats of the prodigal ticket hunters. The peoples’ conscience and trust cannot be mortgaged for individual convenience. Our electorate are tired of users. Because in APGA, we continue to be our brother’s keeper.”
Concern over APGA’s image
But some in the South East expressed concern about the image APGA has now acquired.
A businessman in Onitsha and an indigene of Anambra State, Vincent Uzuakpundu, said APGA has lost its identity with the defections.
“Leaders of APGA told the whole world last year during campaign for the governorship election in Anambra State that the party is the political platform of the Igbo man.
“That was the sentiment whipped up to gain the sympathy of the electorate. Now, how come the party’s leading members are deserting it?” he questioned.
He recalled that in 2013 the APGA leadership reiterated that it is an Igbo party every reasonable person in Igboland should embrace, but “now that leading members of the party are leaving in droves, the only interpretation I can give is that the Igbo are now party less.”
Last year, APGA lost one of its two Governors, Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
