Over 100 members of the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State dumped the party and joined the Labour Party (LP), vowing to ensure the incumbent state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, does not get re-elected.
Soludo, who is the leader of APGA, is poised to seek a second term in next year’s governorship election in the state.
The decampees, who were mainly from Ogbaru local government area of the state, were received at the Onitsha Holiday Resort at the weekend by the chairman of Labour Party in Ogbaru local government area, Chief Emeka Nwosu, who was assisted by the member representing Ogbaru federal constituency in the House of Representatives and LP Caucus leader, Hon. Afam Ogene.
Also present was LP governorship aspirant ahead of the 2025 Anambra governorship election, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, and other party stalwarts in the local government.
Leader of the APGA decampees and former aspirant for Ogbaru 1 constituency of the state House of Assembly in the 2023 election, Hon. Ndubuisi Igwilo, accused Soludo of working against Peter Obi’s presidential ambition in the 2023 election.
Igwilo also said, “I was formerly in APGA, but currently in the Labour Party. I led the decampees into the LP.
“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’ (APGA belongs to us all) 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 be 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 the election and failed should not be given another opportunity.”
Igwilo said the Anambra to try another party and see what they can do because nothing tangible is happening in Anambra adding that he is embarking on roads he is building are things a local government chairman can do if an election is conducted.
“It is not an achievement that a governor will come and do a borehole and announce it all over the place. I can do boreholes for the people. These are things individuals can do,” Igwilo said.
Receiving the decampees, Hon. Ogene, who is also the chairman, House Committee on Renewable Energy in the House of Representatives, commended the decampees for their courage.
and patriotism in joining the Labour Party.
He said Soludo’s APGA has disappointed Anambra people with his leadership policies, including his failure to conduct local government election which he promised to do 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.”
On his part, Ozigbo said the decamping of APGA members has vindicated him on his earlier assessment that Soludo has 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 the Labour Party in 2025 with me as the Chief shepherd to harness the potential of the state,” Ozigbo said further.
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