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Tag: APGA

  • Abia: APGA Guber Candidate picks lawmaker as running mate

    Abia: APGA Guber Candidate picks lawmaker as running mate

    Prof. Greg Ibe, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Gubernatorial Candidate in Abia, has picked a lawmaker in the state, Mr Obinna Ichita, as his running mate.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Prof. Gregory Ibe Media Associates (ProGIMA) and made available to newsmen in Umuahia on Monday.

    ProGIMA stated that Ichita emerged after “an extensive, rigorous and painstaking screening” by the party.

    It explained that he was chosen from the shortlist of three eminently qualified Abia persons.

    “In arriving at the choice of Ichita, the party adhered strictly to existing guidelines, protocols, due process and ground rules.

    The statement added that he became the favourite because of “his enduring membership of APGA even during turbulent periods”.

    Other factors included Ichita’s “sterling performance” as APGA leader in the house, public acceptability and grassroots support, amongst others.

    “It is believed that he will bring his vast legislative experience to bear on the ticket,” ProGIMA stated.

    It also hoped that the legislator would blend with “Ibe’s robust background in business, academia and international diplomacy to reposition Abia”.

    Ichita is a two-term member of the house, representing Aba South constituency. He has consistently championed the cause of good governance in the state.

  • Fresh Primary: Eleje emerges APGA candidate for Ebonyi South senatorial seat

    Fresh Primary: Eleje emerges APGA candidate for Ebonyi South senatorial seat

    The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Ebonyi chapter has conducted a fresh primary election for the replacement of Mrs Blessing Egbed, who withdrew from the race for Ebonyi South senatorial seat in 2023 polls.

    Egbed is now replaced by Mr Ifeanyi Eleje, who is currently the President, Government Secondary School, Afikpo, Old Boys Association Worldwide.

    Newsmen reports that Egbed, who was elected candidate for the position earlier on May, voluntarily withdrew from the race in the party.

    “My withdrawal from the race was to enable the party to balance the power equation to accommodate other parts of the state to ensure victory at the polls,” Egbed said.

    Mr Benard Odoh, APGA Gubernatorial candidate in the state, while addressing newsmen described the new primary election as a welcome development in the efforts to move the party forward in Ebonyi.

    “The conduct has gone smoothly, no cumbersome process because we were not in contention but for replacement. Somebody has withdrawn and somebody is being replaced.

    “We have two other persons who have also withdrawn and two people, who will replace them but we will respect their privacy at the edge and allow the party to do the needful.

    “The key most important is that we have successively received the letters of those who have withdrawn and the party will be communicated accordingly.

    The State Chairman of the party, Mr Ricky Okorouka, said the primary election was a directive from the superior authorities from the party and INEC.

    Okorouka hailed the conduct and urged party faithful to uphold the principles and ideology of APGA to win all positions in 2023..

    Eleje, also commended the leadership of the party and expressed happiness for choosing him for the replacement for the zone.

  • 2023: Ebonyi APGA to hold another primary elections July 12

    2023: Ebonyi APGA to hold another primary elections July 12

    The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi has fixed Tuesday, July 12 for the conduct of another round of primary elections, to replace candidates who left the party ahead of the 2023 general polls.

    Ebonyi Chairman of APGA, Mr Ricky Okorouka, told newsmen on Sunday in Abakaliki that candidates would be vying for seats in the Senate and the House of Representatives, among other positions.

    “The elections will hold at the various secretariats of the party in the state.

    “ We have asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the exercise,“ he said.

    Okorouka urged members to be steadfast and uphold party principles and ideology.

    “We intend to replicate the Anambra experience in Ebonyi having chosen a formidable candidate for the 2023 governorship race,” he said.

  • APGA threatens to boycott Ebonyi LGA’s poll over exorbitant fees

    APGA threatens to boycott Ebonyi LGA’s poll over exorbitant fees

    The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Ebonyi, has lamented over the cost of nomination fees in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

    The party threatened to boycott the elections unless the cost of nomination fees is reduced, while demanding that the State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) shift the date of the election if they were to participate.

    The State Chairman of the party, Mr Ricky Okorouka said this in Abakaliki while addressing newsmen after the party’s State Executive Meetings (SEC) on Sunday.

    EBSIEC had fixed nomination fee for  Chairmanship and councillor positions for N1 million and N200, 000 respectively.

    The Commission had also announced July 30 for the local government elections in the state.

    Okorouka said his party had decided not to be part of the election unless the fees were reduced.

    “So, if EBSIEC wants us to be part of the elections, it should extend the date and remove the nomination fee so far imposed and that is our position.

    “They should not use exorbitant fees to disfranchise political parties in Ebonyi LGA polls.

    “We had our Executive Meetings, where we involved all the candidates for the 2023 general elections and we deliberated on the forthcoming local government elections in the state.

    “Our party, APGA has decided that we may not be part of the election unless the N1 million nomination form fee for chairman’s and N200,000 for councillor’s positions imposed by EBSIEC are reduced.

    “We also want the date for the election to be shifted,” he added.

    Mr Jossy Eze, Chairman of EBSIEC while reacting, said the decision on the nomination fees and election date were made and decided by all the political parties in the state,  where APGA was represented.

    Eze said any complaints on the council elections should be directed to the  Commission rather than making comments to distract the process.

  • APGA runs to security for safety as party crisis deepens

    The deepening crisis within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has gone gone deeper following Monday’s plea to security agencies to come to their aid.

    In a communiqué issued at the eapgand of a meeting of its National Working Committee, the party called on security agencies to arrest, investigate and prosecute its former national chairman and factional presidential candidate, Chief Chekwas Okorie and factional Chairman, Chief Edozie Njoku, in order to save the nation’s fledgling democracy.

    APGA accused both Okorie and Njoku of alleged illegal and criminal conducts.

    It said the security agencies should treat all issues pertaining to the unlawful activities of Chief Edozie Njoku, Chief Chekwas Okorie and their co-travellers with dispatch.

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    The communiqué was signed by all the members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC)

    APGA stated that the meeting took critical look at very important issues and other sundry matters affecting the party as next year’s general elections approach.

    It said the NWC reviewed the activities leading to the nomination of its candidates across various states of the federation, particularly as it relates to the conduct of its ward congresses and primary elections nationwide.

    The NWC also unanimously expressed its appreciation and vote of confidence in the national chairman Victor Oye and commended him on the manner he piloted the activities leading to the successful congresses and primary of APGA nationwide.

    “While calling on relevant security agencies to swing into action forthwith by investigating, arresting and prosecuting the duo, the NWC urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to continue to show its commitment, dedication and professionalism in defence of our electoral process.”

    Reacting, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Tex Okechukwu, said APGA has only one National Chairman and it is Victor Oye.

    Okechukwu said Oye was elected with other members of the NWC in a convention held on May 31 2019 supervised by INEC and which had in attendance the former governor of Anambra state, Willie Obiano, and 36 state chairmen.

    But in a swift response, Okorie dismissed the call for his arrest, saying none of the individuals were around when he founded APGA in 2002.

    To him, “The call for my arrest is not only gratuitous, it is a preposterous demand that either lacks understanding of issues being canvassed or a deliberate attempt to obfuscate a legitimate call for a just cause. Leadership is not a toga you wear only when it’s comfortable or serves your pecuniary interests.

    “I founded APGA in 2002. None of these individuals were there. When brigands were sponsored to destroy APGA, and billions of Naira spent to fight me, I chose to step aside so as not to destroy a vision that encapsulates the political aspirations of Ndigbo.

    “I voluntarily surrendered the certificate of our great party to INEC in 2012. INEC wrote to me in 2009 to reaffirm my chairmanship of APGA. These are facts that can be checked at the relevant agencies. It is also in my book, ‘APGA and the Igbo Question.’

    “A delegation was led to my home to apologise and plead with me to return to the party I founded by Chief Edozie Njoku and the NWC. I really had no option but to accept and I re-registered as a member.

    “My activism and political struggles of the past 46 years have been about Ndigbo; their welfare in the greater Nigeria and a better country where we all exist and progress as a nation.

    “People who are beneficiaries of fraudulent practices are panicked because the truth has come out. I have long expected them to throw everything they have at me. Nigeria’s security agencies are well aware of my residences.”

    TheNewsGuru can report that many members of the party are not finding the infighting funny, given the fact that their party is looking to make headways and hold on to its former stronghold of the South Eastern part of Nigeria.

  • Frank Nweke Jr receives certificate of return, reaffirms a legacy of prosperity and visionary leadership

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, presented a Certificate of Return to the party’s gubernatorial candidate for Enugu State, Frank Nweke Jr.

    Nweke emerged the party’s gubernatorial candidate after scoring 273 votes to beat four other aspirants at the party primary which was held in Enugu on May 29, 2022.

    In his remarks, Nweke reiterated his commitment to providing the right leadership that tackles immediate challenges such as the water crisis, economic deprivation, and insecurity while strategically setting Enugu State on the path of sustainable progress.

    “My promise remains hinged on restoring human dignity, first by ensuring all citizens of Enugu have access to basic human needs of water, power, education, and the freedom to dream. We must have sanity restored to our communities, engage with partners and investors to build infrastructure, and restore the glorious industrialisation that we are known for”

    Presenting the certificate was the APGA national chairman, Dr. Victor Oye.

    *He congratulated the Party’s flagbearer and noted that he is one of Nigeria’s finest. The Chairman further reiterated his confidence in his pedigree and his considerable experience in public administration which puts him heads and shoulders above rival candidates”

    In his closing remarks, Mr. Nweke Jr reaffirmed the Party’s position as a movement for the Ndi Igbo.

    “The All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA is the political platform with a guiding philosophy that embodies the deepest spiritual essence of Ndigbo as a people, onye aghana nwanne ya. This means that we leave no brother, sister, or neighbor behind. We understand what it means for the government to be of the people and for the people. Reinstating collective responsibility, transparency and accountability is paramount for the government we hope to create when we win the Enugu Gubernatorial election in 2023”

  • Real reason why I left APGA for Labour Party – Victor Umeh

    Chief Victor Umeh, the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has given reasons for defecting to the Labour Party.

    Umeh spoke at a press conference held at the Secretariat of the Anambra Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Awka.

    He said that he dumped APGA because of an alleged conspiracy against him by some party members in the state.

    Umeh emerged the LP candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections, after leaving APGA.

    “During the last senatorial primary election, which I contested under APGA, it was glaring that some people within the party perfectly wheeled conspiracy to pull me down.
    “That was why I decided to leave APGA,” he said.

    He further said that he joined LP on the advice of the party’s Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

    He expressed delight over his movement to LP, saying that the decision had reunited him with Obi.

    He recalled how Obi and himself steered the ship of APGA to victory and opined that a similar fate was about to repeat itself in LP.

    “Nigerians from all shades of opinion want Peter Obi as president in 2023 and what is happening in LP is divine.

    “What is driving him are statements he makes on the management of the resources of the country.

    “These truly represent his conduct on the ways public resources should be managed,” Umeh said.

    He urged Obi’s supporters to ensure they obtained their permanent voter cards ahead of the elections to enable the country witness a progressive era.

    He commended the leadership of Anambra NUJ “for providing a platform for people to communicate to the public”.

    The state Chairman of LP, Mr Ugochukwu Emeh, said it was wrong for some people to say that the party did not have structures across the country.

    “Labour is a political party registered by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.

    “It includes the NUJ and we have more than 50 million people who are members of these bodies.

    “In addition to these groups, millions of Nigerian youths, whose future has been messed up by bad leadership, are the ones driving the Obi’s movement,” Emeh said.

    The state Chairman of NUJ, Dr Emeka Odogwu, said the event was organised to provide an avenue for people to be better informed on current political happenings.

  • Labour Party not a threat in Anambra — Stella Oduah

    Sen. Stella Oduah (PDP-Anambra) says incursion of the Labour Party into Anambra through former governor Peter Obi as its Presidential Candidate, is not a threat to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Oduah said this at a news conference during the presentation of certificates of return to 30 PDP candidates who won the party primaries for both the House of Assembly and National Assembly on Thursday in Abuja.

    Newsmen reports that 20 House of Assembly PDP candidates and 10 National Assembly candidates from Anambra North and South were presented with certificates of return.

    Oduah said that Igbos should work with a party and candidate that would win the presidency and a party that would take them to the national level.

    The former minister of Aviation noted
    that it was not the first time a new party would come into Anambra, adding that the PDP had always defeated them.

    “This is not the first time a new party is coming to Anambra, we have nothing to fear, politics is local and what we are contesting for is to represent our people.
    ” Our people cannot leave what they know to what they don’t know. We are not jittery and we are more than capable to win the election for the PDP,” she said.

    Speaking on the certificate of return , she said it was a happy day for them for receiving their certificates , adding that the journey was tedious, saying the supporters had done the right thing by voting them.

    “We thank the delegates for voting us, the real election is coming and we are ready. We will put ourselves together to combat the opposition.

    ” Anambra is a PDP state, so having this solders with us, you can imagine what will happen when we put our strategy in place, the victory is ours,” she said.

    The senator thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the PDP for a credible primaries.
    She said the incumbent lawmakers among them had worked tirelessly to serve the people, adding that what the people had seen in terms of performance was a tip of the iceberg.

    According to her, our people will again, see good roads and other infrastructure. We have people with capacity, the party knows that and the delegates. Continuity is what is important in legislative work.

    Asked about the relationship with the APGA administration in Anambra, she said: :We will get along with the governor.

  • Abaribe officially resigns PDP membership

    Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Eyinnaya Abaribe,has officially resigned membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    His resignation letter was read by the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, during Wednesday’s plenary.

    Until his resignation, Abaribe was the Minority Leader in the Senate.

    The letter was entitled “Notification for Resignation from Membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Senate.”

    It read: “This is to notify you and my dear colleagues in the Senate that I have formally resigned my membership of the PDP through my ward.

    “This also means my resignation as minority leader

    “I wish to thank you and my dear colleagues and the leadership of the Senate for the warm camaraderie enjoyed while I was the minority leader.”

    The Senate president on Tuesday, announced unofficially, that Abaribe had defected from the PDP to APGA.

  • APGA gubernatorial candidate seeks support of Benue people

    The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Benue, Mr Joseph Waya, has called on Benue people to join forces with the party to rescue the state from the shackles of poverty, disease and hunger.

    The call is contained in his 2022 Democracy Day message which he personally signed and issued on Sunday in Makurdi.

    “Please join us in APGA, a political party on the rescue mission in Benue. It is not encumbered by political god-fatherism and its leadership will not mortgage your future and that of your children.

    “Instead it will utilise the state funds frugally and judiciously for the benefit of all.

    “You must act by registering to vote in the forthcoming general elections to stop the economic ills visited on us by corrupt politicians for decades,” Waya said.

    He lamented that the country was in danger as it faced many threats that created much anxiety among the citizens.

    He said that the promise of democracy, as well as its rewards, remained pretty much an ideal in Nigeria.

    He also encouraged those in government and those outside of it to graciously cooperate to ensure that the principle of fair play prevailed in the upcoming elections.

    Waya stressed that never in history had the nation suffered a long and sustained economic decline that had shattered many lives.

    “Those who work in government are denied the wages of their labour; those who work on their farms are harmed in their sleep or on their farms and those who are artisans or traders have no patronage because of the penury of the populace.

    “There is no gainsaying that the majority of Nigerians today are in misery and suffering untold indignities.

    “Individuals and families have been stretched to a breaking point by the two political parties that have governed the country in the last two decades.

    “They have failed woefully and we cannot continue with this trend,” he said.