Reactions continue to trail the exit of erstwhile Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Victor Umeh, from APGA to LP.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Hours after his exit from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), former Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Victor Umeh, has berthed in Labour Party (LP).
Umeh was the national chairman of APGA, at a time. His leadership of the party, had within the period, ensured consolidation of APGA in Anambra. Among the immediate gains was the reelection of Governor Peter Obi, the first of such feats in Anambra and winning more seats in the state’s legislature in 2011 elections.
The party also made commendable in-road in Imo, ensuring the election of Governor Rochas Okorocha, in addition to more members in the state’s assembly. Okorocha later left the party for ALL Progressives Congress (APC).
APGA also made appreciable impacts at the national level, where it then boasted of members in the Senate and House of Representatives.
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Fears of Umeh’s exit from APGA loomed when he lost in his reelection bid to a member of the House of Representatives Dozie Nwankwo.
His movement to LP which was initially an object of speculation was confirmed when the Senator emerged the senatorial candidate of the party for Anambra Central in a primary that he was returned unopposed in Asaba, Delta State.
In LP, Umeh joins former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, with whom he had had consuming feud over the control of APGA. The crisis between the two, among other factors, forced Obi to quit the party for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he was gunning for presidential ticket before leaving some days ago for LP. The former governor is the Labour Party presidential candidate.
But Umeh explained that it was Obi who actually invited him to join the Labour Party.
Commenting on Umeh’s movement, James Eze, Chief Press Secretary to the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, described the erstwhile senator as a pillar of APGA in Anambra, adding that his exit will have great impact on the state.
“When a building loses a pillar…Umeh’s exit is the ultimate test of survival for APGA. And well…it has grave implications for Anambra”, Eze remarked.
Another commentator, Chikwelu Samson Williams, noted that Umeh has been a strong supporter and advocate for President of South East extraction, stressing, “Since PDP has gone north and APC is going same, his decision to join hands with Gov. Peter Obi in Labour Party should not be seen or tagged selfish but a disposition towards actualizing presidency of South East extraction”.
A Lagos newspaper editor, who pleaded anonymity, however, slightly differed. He argued, “If really Victor Umeh has left, it is a huge minus to APGA. Like or hate him, he has the rough and tumble tendencies that you cannot wish away in Nigerian politics. In some instances, he replicates stories told of RBK Okafor and Mbazulike Amaechi in their days in NCNC. He can roll in the mud and stand in the chapel in fighting for a given cause.
“He may have contributed to his latest unusual poor outing in the APGA primary. He should have known when to pull out of senatorial contests and go for higher office, like the presidency or concentrate on playing the elder-statesman role in APGA. That’s where I often have problem with most of our politicians from the South East. They don’t know when to pull back to groom and nurture younger ones. It must be they all the time. For Umeh, his time was up in Anambra Central politics but he didn’t decipher the writing on the wall”.
