The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is back to the mainstream of Nigerian politics after a long legal battle over its leadership, the Anambra Commissioner for Works, Mr Calistus Ilozumba, has said.
Ilozumba made the declaration in an interview in Abuja.
APGA was enmeshed in a legal tussle at the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu, between Chief Victor Umeh and Mr Maxi Okwu, over the leadership of the party. The case was resolved in favour of Umeh on July 15.
Ilozumba said that the party, after surmounting its crisis, was strategising to face the forthcoming local government and gubernatorial elections in Anambra.
He said that the party would remain focused after the elections to face the challenges of subsequent elections in the country.
The commissioner said that the incumbent governor had performed well and could be rated as one of the best governors in the country.
“The people of Anambra are yearning for a competent individual to replace the incumbent Gov. Peter Obi.
“Left for us, there would have been no election because people want him to continue in office; but unfortunately the constitution does not allow for a third term,” he said.
He, however, advised those interested in the governorship race not to dissipate energy, waste their time and resources because they would be disappointed at the end of the day.
Ilozumba said that Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo was suspended from the party because he went outside the party’s instructions and constitution to involve himself in anti-party activities.
“We elected him; he was part of us, but he decided to take the party to another party.
“For this singular reason, some members of the party are now afraid to bring any character to the party, who will come and win election and leave,’’ he said.
He said that the party frowned at such a character because it was capable of plunging it into serious problem.
Ilozumba said that reconciliation of aggrieved party members was timely, especially as the local government and governorship elections were around the corner.
“If we did not reconcile our differences, the party will die and will be swept out in the coming elections. With the reconciliation, APGA will be the party to beat in 2015 general elections and beyond,” he said.
