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Tag: APGA

  • 2019: APGA crisis worsens, as new faction demands Gov Obiano’s resignation

    The crisis rocking the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), on Friday, took a new dimension, with the emergence of a new faction.

    The faction, named Authentic All Progressives Grand Alliance (AAPGA), is chaired by Jerry Obasi, while its Secretary is A.D. Musa

    Addressing newsmen, in Abuja, on Friday, the new factional chairman said the crisis-ridden party needs to be recalibrated “in line with the dictates of our shared values and ideological purity of being our brothers’ keepers indeed.

    “We must purge APGA of political wickedness and selfishness, particularly the myopia that made the party speak from both sides of the mouth regarding its future and preparedness for the nation’s electoral environment,” he said.

    The factional leadership of the party, condemned the alleged endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari by the Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, who doubles as chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT).

    “It called on the Governor to resign his position as BoT chairman

    Mr. Obasi said: “We hereby call on Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State to resign his positions as governor, Chairman of Board of Trustees (BoT) and leader of APGA forthwith for his derilictory, intransigent and irresponsible behaviour in his recent unilateral public adoption of President Muhammadu Buhari as APGA standard bearer without having recourse to the APGA National Executive Committee (NEC) or ratification at a national convention.

    At the public presentation of a book in Abuja, Obiano usurped the functions of the party’s caucuses to adopt Buhari not minding that APGA fielded General John Gbor as its presidential candidate.

    “By that nonchalant behaviour, the governor brought APGA to ridicule, odium and made it a laughing stock in the eyes of reasonable Nigerians. He is therefore guilty of anti-party activity and breach of Article 22(2D) of the APGA constitution deposited with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

    It announced the constitution of three committees to resolve the crisis rocking the party. It named Political Evaluation Committee, to assess, monitor crucial issues in the polity as the nation prepares for the 2019 election; Rapprochement Committee, to reach out to mistreated and aggrieved members; and Fiscal Complaints Committee, to compile cases of fiscal malfeasance and recommend appropriate remedial measures.”

     

  • 2019: APGA speaks on alleged support for Buhari, APC

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday said it was not supporting the 2019 reelection bid of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victory Oye, stated this at a press conference in Amawbia near Awka, the state capital.

    Oye’s reaction came following the relationship between the state governor, Willie Obiano and Aso Rock, resulting in the governor accompanying Buhari to several trips abroad.

    Some had insinuated that Obiano’s seeming support for Buhari was a payback gesture to the president for allowing a free and fair governorship election in the state in 2017 where Obiano won the poll against the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Dr Tony Nwoye, who came a distant second.

    At the press conference on Wednesday, Oye said APGA had one of the best presidential candidates in the 2019 race.

    “They say APGA is working for the APC; that’s balderdash. We’re not working for the APC; we’re working for ourselves.

    ” APGA has chosen a presidential candidate in the election, General John Gbor, and his running mate, Jerry Chukwueke, an international businessman.

    “Our presidential candidate is a PhD holder in Anthropology. We’re working to market him and he is highly accepted in the whole North Central. He is a man without any blemish as far as Nigerian politics is concerned.

    ” He was a director of the army elite corp. That’s not a small feat in the military.

    “So, we’re not campaigning for Buhari; we’re campaigning for General Gbor. That name has been destined to be the next president of Nigeria; you may not believe it; but when God destines something, nobody can change it,” Oye stated.

    Speaking on the crises that trailed APGA primaries, especially in Imo and Anambra States, Oye said the party had expected that because of the successes the party had recorded in Anambra in the past 12 years.

    He said that the party was on top of the situation, adding that various reconciliation committees set up to handle the internal wrangling were working assiduously to resolve the issues arising from the party’s primaries.

     

  • I’m not worried by APGA’s suspension – Factional speaker

    Factional Speaker of Anambra House of Assembly, Mr. Ikem Uzoezie, has dismissed his suspension by the All Progressives Grand Alliance as “illegal and uninformed.”

    Uzoezie told the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka on Friday that the leadership of APGA in Anambra did not follow the procedures for suspending party members.

    It will be recalled that the Chairman of the party in the state, Mr. Norbert Obi, had, on November 15, announced the suspension of three lawmakers, including Uzoezie, the new Speaker of the state House of Assembly.

    Others were the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Harford Oseke; and the Majority Leader, Mr. Victor Okoye.

    Obi insisted that their suspension followed their leading roles in the impeachment process against the Speaker, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu, who was purportedly removed without carrying the party along.

    Uzoezie said the party overreached its bounds as the events in the parliament were wholly internal to it, adding that members were at liberty to change their leaders who are deemed ineffective.

    He said the party was supreme but noted that it had to do with party matters and not an independent institution like the parliament.

    “I represent a constituency that has APGA and non-APGA members; so, you cannot say we did not carry the party along.

    “I have not been formally communicated with. I only saw it in the media and my party members called me to tell me about it.

    “All the same, I am a lawmaker who is versed in laws and procedure; the state chairman should have referred to the constitution of the party.

    “I am one of the oldest members of the party; there are procedures for suspending members of a party, you don’t just wake up and suspend members, we are not in a Banana Republic.

    “Every action must be guided by the rule of that organisation; if not, it amounts to a nullity. I am surprised by their action. I know they will rescind their action and good reason shall prevail.

    “I agree that party is supreme, but that has to do with party matters, so, that argument does not hold water. Besides, we are not in a parliamentary democracy where the party dictates.

    “I want to dismiss the suspension as illegal and inconsequential,” he said.

    The lawmaker said he was the new Speaker of Anambra House of Assembly, as the change in leadership was a collective resolve of the majority of members.

    He said Speakers were elected by members to serve their interest and when they are not doing the bidding of the generality of the House, they fire them and elect competent ones.

    “As an independent body, the House of Assembly is at liberty to change its leadership if they are not performing, we are peers, co-equals, so it is purely internal to us.

    “Those who say there is no change of leadership in ANHA, including the chairman are living in their own imagination but as it concerns us, we have removed our former Speaker.

    “The impeachment stands and all other principal officers remain,” he said.

    Also speaking to NAN, Mr Harford Oseke, Deputy Speaker of ANHA, noted that he was not aware of his purported suspension.

    Oseke described the action against him as futile as there was no nexus between APGA and the ANHA, adding that he had not committed any crime against the party.

    He said he would welcome the suspension with open arms and would not return to the party whenever he was formally notified.

    “I will thank the chairman of APGA if they truly suspended me, what am I doing in APGA, they have killed APGA.

    “I am not coming back if they actually suspended me, though I have not received their notice for my suspension, I only saw it on social media.

    “What is the relationship between House of Assembly and APGA?

    “I accept it in good fate, they have made things easy for me, I can now freely move to another party if I like APGA to deal with us,” he said.

  • JUST IN: APGA suspends lawmaker who spearheaded speaker’s impeachment

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has suspended the factional Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Ikem Uzoezie, for alleged anti-party activities.

    Others also suspended were Messrs Hartford Oseke and Victor Okoye.

    The State Chairman of the party, Chief Norbert Obi, stated this at a press conference at the party’s secretariat in Awka on Thursday.

    Obi said that after reviewing the circumstances surrounding the impeachment of the Speaker of the House, Rita Maduagwu on Tuesday, it had become expedient to suspend the key player in the saga “to save the party from self-destruction.”

    Uzoezie had led 19 other members of the House on Tuesday to impeach Maduagwu and assumed the speakership of the House.

    But the APGA state chairman of the party, at the press conference, said “the party would not condone such internal wrangling.”

    His statement read in part: “Recall that on Tuesday, 13th November 2018, some Honorable members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in the Anambra State House of Assembly, during their plenary session, attempted to impeach the Hon Speaker of
    the House, Rt Hon Barr Rita Maduagwu, following a motion moved by the Hon member representing Agutata II Constituency, Hon. Ikem Uzoezie, which was seconded by the Hon member representing Ekwusigo Constituency, Hon. Onyebuchi Offor.

    “It is the position of the party in Anambra State that the attempted impeachment was not necessary.

    “Granted the fact that we had problems during the just-concluded party primaries in the state, this is not enough to pull the party down, more so when the party has inaugurated a reconciliation committee to look into the grievances of the aggrieved aspirants and members of the party.

    “Every right thinking Igbo man knows that APGA is not only a party but a movement for the actualization of Igbo agenda in the Nigerian polity. It will amount to shooting oneself in the leg for any Igbo man to pursue the destruction of APGA.”

    The state chairman enjoined aggrieved members of the party to sheathe their swords, adding that failure to do so would amount to “setting our house on fire because of a rat.”

    He added, “It is therefore the wish of the party that all members of APGA behind this unfortunate plot should retrace their steps in the interest of the party.

    “We assure them that whatever is their grievances, they should be addressed to the satisfaction of all since this is a family affair.

    “Be that as it may, the three ring leaders of the attempted impeachment saga, namely, Hon Ikem Uzoezie, Barr Hartford Oseke and Hon Victor Okoye are hereby suspended from the party pending the time they will appear before the disciplinary committee of the party for further action.”

  • 2019: Atiku reacts to reports alleging he dumped PDP for APGA

    2019: Atiku reacts to reports alleging he dumped PDP for APGA

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has reacted to reports alleging that he [Atiku] has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, his campaign office said today.

    An online report has it that Abubakar was planning to move out of the PDP in a matter of weeks or days to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), where he is sure to pick the party’s presidential ticket.

    The campaign office described the report as a malicious attempt to confuse the public about the aspiration of Abubakar, ahead of the forthcoming presidential primaries election of the PDP.

    “For the avoidance of any doubt, Atiku remains the frontline aspirant for the presidential ticket of the PDP.

    “In the past two months, Abubakar has moved across states in the country consulting with stakeholders of the PDP and explaining to them his agenda encapsulated in the acronym JOBS: Jobs, Opportunity, Being united and Security) for Nigeria.

    “The nationwide consultations continues this week with visits to the South West, North West and North Central zones of the country.”

    It added that Abubakar’s passion and commitment to winning the PDP primaries is without any compromise.

    “To assume that he will abandon the hard work he has done with the positive results he is getting from the stakeholders of the party is to say the least preposterous and unthinkable.

    The campaign office called on supporters of Atiku to remain steadfast and see the contrived news of defection as an attempt to distract it from the set task of winning the PDP ticket and the 2019 presidential election by the grace of God.”

  • 2019: APGA promises fair, transparent primaries

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said its primaries for aspirants seeking to contest in the 2019 general elections would be free, fair, credible and transparent.

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of APGA, made the commitment in an interview with our Reporter in Awka on Tuesday.

    Oye said while reacting to insinuations that some aspirants had been promised automatic tickets, that all nominations would be strictly in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.

    The APGA national chairman advised those aspiring for the party’s ticket for any elective position to embark on wooing support for themselves and the party in their various constituencies.

    He also stressed that good stewardship and loyalty to the party remained major criteria for those seeking re-election under the party.

    “APGA will hold transparent, credible primary for every elective office to be contested for in 2019 general election,” he said.

    Oye also spoke on Anambra politics, advising party members to allow Gov. Willie Obiano face the task of governance without distraction.

    “Leave the governor alone to concentrate on the avowed task of effective governance which is his primary focus for now,’’ he said.

  • Ekwueme deserves more than N1bn burial budget from Buhari – APGA

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Dr. Victor Oye, on Tuesday, said the late Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, deserves more than N1bn burial budget from the Federal Government.

    Oye’s reaction came following the assertion by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, that President Muhammadu Buhari had expended about N1bn on Ekwueme from the day the Federal Government took over his medical bills to date.

    Ngige said the amount covered roads rehabilitation in Anambra State and neighbouring communities of Abia and Imo states, and sundry expenses.

    Speaking with our correspondent at Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State on Tuesday, Oye described the late Ekwueme as a man of means who, on his own, achieved greatness.

    He said, “What is N1bn to Ekwueme? He deserved more than that.

    “Ekwueme is worth more than N100bn by his personal achievements. He was a rich man by every definition.

    “If I were the Federal Government, I wouldn’t have pronounced the figure because Ekwueme deserved more than that. He deserved a befitting burial for what he did for this country.

    “He was a detribalised Nigerian; wealthy but humble.”

    Describing Ekwueme as the highest ranking Igbo man that ever existed since after the civil war of 1967-1970, Oye said, “Nigerians yet unborn would remember this great man because his contributions to national development were immense.”

    The APGA leader suggested three ways the late VP could be immortalised: by naming a street at the capital territory, Abuja, after him; setting up a foundation in memory of him; and naming of a federal university after him.

    He commended President Buhari and the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, for their efforts in ensuring that Ekwueme is given befitting burial on Friday.

  • INEC declares APGA’s former Chair, Victor Umeh winner of Anambra Central Senatorial re-run

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has declared a former National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and candidate of the party in Saturday’s Senatorial rerun, Chief Victor Umeh as the winner of the Anambra Central Senatorial re-run election.

    The senatorial election took place in seven local governments of Anambra including Njikoka, Awka North, Idemili South, Dunukofia, Awka South, Anaocha and Idemili North.

    APGA won in the seven council areas in the result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) early Sunday morning.

    Announcing the final result, Prof Charles Esimone, the returning officer said Umeh having scored the highest number of votes with 64, 878 was the winner of the contest and returned elected.

    Esimone who is Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka said the total number of registered voters in the seven local government areas were 745, 828 out of which 67, 872 were accredited.

    “I Prof. Charles Esimone certify that I am the returning officer for the Anambra Central Senatorial rerun election.

    “I, hereby, declare that Chief Victor Umeh, having satisfied the conditions of the election and scored the highest number of votes is declared winner and returned elected,” he said.

    The APC candidate was second with 975 votes while Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) came third with 116 votes.

    Other parties that got votes were the Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP), 111 votes; Labour Party (LP), 95; National Conscience Party (NCP), 72; Alliance for Democratic Congress (ADC), 57; United Progressives Party (UPP), 55; Green Party of Nigeria (GPN), 48 and Action Congress for Democrats (ACD), 33.

    Votes were however cancelled in four polling units in Awka South where there were cases of over voting and in Agulu, Anaocha council where people where accredited manually.

    Also in Idemili South over voting was recorded in two polling units.

    Earlier in his remark, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Anambra, thanked all stakeholders, including the electorate, poll officials, observers and journalists for contributing to the success and peaceful conduct of the election.

  • Senator Oduah speaks on her dumping PDP for APGA

    Senator Stella Oduah on Monday described as untrue reports that she was planning to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The lawmaker, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District, spoke on the rumours of her leaving the PDP in Abuja on Monday, stressing that the reports were based on mere speculation that was false.

    Oduah said those spreading the falsehood were probably taking advantage of her grievances with the party in the build-up to the 2017 Anambra governorship election.

    “It is untrue, there is nothing like that; I am still a full member of the PDP.

    “This is mere speculation probably because of my anger during the last governorship election.

    “I am still a full member of our great party, the PDP; if I want to leave a party I will make it public myself,” she said.

    She urged politicians to refrain from attempting to score cheap points by giving false information about other political actors.

     

  • APGA blames fuel scarcity on corruption, urges Buhari to appoint substantive minister

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has blamed the current fuel scarcity in the country on corruption and confusion in country’s petroleum industry.

    Oye said this in an interview with TheNewsGuru (TNG) in Awka while reacting to the situation on Saturday.

    He said it was unfortunate that the cartel responsible for the hardship inflicted on Nigerians had not been defeated but were rather dictating the pace in the system.

    Oye said there was need for clear delineation of powers and functions of the offices of the Minister of State for Petroleum and that of the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC).

    Oye described scarcity as a seasonal period when the poor suffered so that the rich could be richer, adding that it was beyond the control of filling station operators.

    “There are a lot of factors affecting fuel distribution in Nigeria and this bothers on sharp practices in the various agencies involved in the system like the Petroleum Products Pricing
    Regulatory Agency, Department of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC.

    “We hear about corruption is responsible for the problem of fuel distribution in this country,

    “what we have now is the consequence of the rot in the petroleum industry, when you keep pilfering a system, there will come a time when the entire system will feel the pressure.

    “When we hear about billions of dollars about the size of our External Reserve not being properly accounted for by NNPC, few persons are having money and and houses all over the world without questions about how they made this money.

    “There is cartel in the oil industry, as we are groaning now, they are smiling to the bank.

    “My definition of scarcity is the time of the year when the poor suffers for the rich to enjoy, that amount you pay on top of N145 per litre goes to the pockets of this cartel or cabals

    “I am aware that Buhari said Dr Ibe Kachikwu should end the scarcity as soon as possible but it is not going to be possible.

    “We need to know the powers available to the Minister of State for Petroleum and what powers are at the disposal of the NNPC GMD, the conflict between the two offices is accountable for what we are witnessing today,” he said.

    The APGA chairman called on President Mohammadu Buhari to reduce the tasks in his hands by appointing a substantive Minister of Petroleum who will supervise the ministry more closely with the capacity to act on policy issues.

    “The president cannot handle the position of Minister of Petroleum very close as he would have wished in the light of the numerous things at his hands, that position is sensitive, he needs to hand it over to a professional.

    “Buhari is not getting younger, he just recovered from ill health and I am one of his prayer warriors so he should listen to people like us, he should unbundle himself and the system.

    ” Kachikwu is competent to do the job but they are breathing down his neck, they are not allowing him to work because of reasons I cannot tell.

    “The president needs political and will power to fight corruption, if you don’t fight corruption, there is no way you can end fuel scarcity, because some people make millions out of it, it is a seasonal business for them,” he said.