AUGUST 26, 2014

BY ENIOLA AKINKUOTU

In this interview with ENIOLA AKINKUOTU, the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Mr. Campbell Umeh-Nzekwe, who is also a Senior Special Assistant to the party’s national chairman, speaks on the crisis within the party and its plans for the 2015 general elections

What is the grouse the party has with former Governor Peter Obi, the first person to win a governorship seat on your party’s platform?

We asked him to conduct local government election in 2010 and he agreed and then we worked for him, he won a second term but he reneged. Conducting local government elections was the only way he could have kept the party on ground in the state. The party has not won a senatorial election in Anambra since 2003 because Obi refused to allow the party to have a foothold. That is the issue he is having with the national leader of the party, Chief Victor Umeh. Immediately Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu died, Obi withheld the money that comes from the local government, he will take it and give it to caretaker committees and when we insisted on election, he attempted to remove Umeh as national chairman and impose Maxi Okwu. That was how APGA got two chairmen but after series of court cases, Umeh finally won. Finally, Obi approached Umeh and as a party man, he forgave Obi and then Obi brought in his successor, Willie Obiano, and Umeh nominated the deputy governor and then we won the Anambra State governorship election.

But Obi is still having problems with the party?

Since he left office, have you seen him talk about APGA anywhere? Even the political summit that was held in Abuja, he did not promote APGA, he went there to campaign for President Goodluck Jonathan. He went there as APGA representative but he still fails to recognise Umeh as the leader of the party. Obi’s case now is that all the people he nominated as National Assembly members, who he used in signing support for Okwu, have now defected to the PDP. They were not sure of winning primaries in APGA that is why they ran to the PDP but they have no electoral value.

There is this rumour that Obi was supposed to be made the Minister of Aviation before it was given to the former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka.

That is why I said Obi is after the PDP so he is avoiding APGA and does not want to be seen as an APGA man but wants to be a minister in Abuja. He lobbied PDP stakeholders who nominated him for ministerial appointment but the Presidency refused based on a petition by Emeka Ofor, Andy Ubah, Arthur Eze and others who said an outsider should not be given the position. He is not in APGA, he only pretends to be part of us. We are not after Jonathan. In 2011, there was no agreement of alliance or negotiation to support Jonathan.

But your party has declared to support Jonathan for re-election

Who said the party has agreed to support Jonathan? Where was the decision taken? Those are mere speculations based on a rumour that APGA is an extension of the PDP because we did not contest in the presidential election in 2011 when Ojukwu was sick and finally died in 2012 that was why we had no candidate so we decided to support Jonathan. We are independent and the current defection shows that the PDP and APGA are not the same party. And we want anybody who wants to deal with APGA should come directly to us.

We fought the PDP in Anambra and Imo and we won them and we will win them again so what kind of accord do we have? Right now, our thinking is that all over the world, political power is negotiated and I am using this opportunity to tell President Jonathan and the PDP that APGA will not fold its arms and allow some political wanderers in the South-East to use the President’s name to disorganise us.

Even some who cannot win their ward use Jonathan’s name to deceive people. We are telling Jonathan that we are going to negotiate both APGA and Igbo support for him. Our negotiation is that all PDP aspirants in the South-East for governor, Senate, House of Assembly and House of Representatives should step down for APGA. That was what happened in 1979 during the Shehu Shagari and Alex Ekwueme administration.

Politics is give and take. The PDP should choose whether it wants Presidency or governorship. Do they want governorship in South-East or Presidency? We cannot allow what happened in the South-West in 2003 between the PDP and the Alliance for Democracy where they supported former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s second term bid without studying the intricacies because it is hard to tell people to vote PDP for the Presidency and then another party at the state level.

You cannot be contesting against us at the state level and we will be supporting your party at the national level, there will be confusion and the chances of Jonathan winning the South-East will be slim. The All Progressives Congress is there, dragging, APGA and PDP are also dragging and it will be messy.

Does APGA have the right to make any demand now? Since many people have left the party. You lost Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State to the APC and have now lost about six federal and state lawmakers to the PDP?


APGA is a movement for the Igbo race. Any party that says APGA and Ndi Igbo are not friendly is deceiving himself. Without manipulation, APGA has no competition in the South-East. Anambra State is a case in point. In Imo State, APGA is ready to take over. Forget the likes of Arthur Nzeribe, Achike Udenwa that have joined the PDP. Udenwa even ran for governor on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria and lost. As I am talking to you, we have no rival in the South-East. In fact, I am sure Okorocha is regretting to have left APGA because his supporters did not follow him to the APC. He can’t win one local government with the APC.

He joined the APC because he was offered vice-presidency but the APGA he tried to bring in did not work out successfully. He joined as an individual and since he failed to bring in APGA, the APC cannot even field him as a vice-presidential candidate. The APC cannot win an election in the South-East. Okorocha never won a council election in his life before joining APGA. He once ran for Presidency and lost. In 1999, he was in the PDP and ran for governor and lost to Udenwa. In 2003, he ran on the platform of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party and lost the primaries to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd). In 2007, he contested against President Umaru Yar’dua at the PDP primaries and lost. In 2011, he ran on the platform of APGA and won.

Why don’t you want to support Jonathan without condition since it is rumoured that Jonathan will hand over the Presidency to the Igbo in 2019?

That is not the issue. He can only handover to those on ground but the PDP is nowhere in the South-East. Most of the PDP governors in the South-East are leaving next year and the PDP will not continue ruling. The PDP has been using and dumping the Igbo. APGA is the only party that can give the Igbo what they want.

You have questioned Obi’s loyalty to the party. What of his successor, Obiano?


Obiano is a professional and is very intelligent. He knows that it is wiser to build your base like Governor Bola Tinubu did in Lagos rather than to go and join the PDP. He is busy with Anambra State and is a staunch APGA loyalist. We made him win and even when other candidates took the matter to the election tribunal, we supported him. He knows that charity begins at home and that APGA belongs to all of us. Where are the former PDP governors in the South-East today? Where is Orji Uzor Kalu in the PDP today? Where is Achike Udenwa in the PDP today? Where is Ken Nnamani? The PDP’s way is to use and dump and the only way Obiano can stand the test of time is to properly build his base.

How can your proposed deal with Jonathan work?

It worked between the National Party of Nigeria and the Nigerian Peoples Party to earn majority votes in the National Assembly, in 1979. The NPP controlled the South-East including Plateau and Benue being governed by Solomon Lar. The NPN won the North while Chief Obafemi Awolowo won the South-West.

The NPN entered into an alliance with the NPP to earn majority votes in the National Assembly. They called NnamdiAzikiwe, the leader of the NPP then and they ceded the Speaker of House of Representatives to him and some other roles, they continued until 1983 when they jettisoned the idea because the NPN did not want to share power again. The election was rigged and then Buhari finally took over.

So, Jonathan should learn from that experience, if you overdo things, the outcome may be bad so we are telling Jonathan that for him to win election and be at peace, he should tell PDP aspirants in South-East states to step down for APGA so that he can get the Igbo support in 2015.

SOURCE:

In politics what count is interest & is considered foremost ahead of party affiliation.

The Interviewer was ridiculous with his choice of questions and deserved nothing than to be reprimanded

Tribalizing Journalism for an intended audience

Any party that says APGA and Ndi Igbo are not friendly is deceiving himself

Ethnic sentiment.

impromptu:

Ethnic sentiment.

Forget about rigging machines of cancerous PDP Stewarts over the years. The same people that made us believe Ojukwu lost South East States in presidential election to Obasanjo - an atrocious manipulation.

APGA is a grassroot movement than a party. The only people that disputes this are Emigrant Igbos, Eat-and-close mouth politicians and their bag-carriers.

For instance, I haven't seen someone who says he is a grassroot PDP member in Imo State except on pay-per-support bases but no same with APGA.

APGA can metamorphos but can never die, it is an identity and a call for brotherliness.

What is this man talking about? From results so far since 1999 the Igbo nation is not loyal to APGA as a party. In 2003 APGA won the Governorship seat but lost majority(if not all) of National and State legislative Seats. Since Obi was Sworn he has been at the mercies of PDP dominated House. During his impeachment saga, he was entirely at the mercies of PDP during that period and even Dim Ojukwu had no say. Ojukwu tagged the impeachment "Nnewi Coup". Obi second term was also at PDP's mercies, he became a "good boy" to the PDP. In 2011 APGA despite enjoying incumbency in govt house could nt win a SINGLE seat in the Senate. PDP won 2 and CAN(now APC) won 1. The failure of APGA to conduct LG polls is because they are scared and they donlt control the grassroot. APGA should stop overrating their party in the SE. Among the 3 Contenders PDP, APC and APGA, no party has the SE in her kitty but PDP have a Upper-hand followed by APGA and APC coming 2nd and 3rd respectively

whatlyf: What is this man talking about? From results so far since 1999 the Igbo nation is not loyal to APGA as a party. In 2003 APGA won the Governorship seat but lost majority(if not all) of National and State legislative Seats. Since Obi was Sworn he has been at the mercies of PDP dominated House. During his impeachment saga, he was entirely at the mercies of PDP during that period and even Dim Ojukwu had no say. Ojukwu tagged the impeachment "Nnewi Coup". Obi second term was also at PDP's mercies, he became a "good boy" to the PDP. In 2011 APGA despite enjoying incumbency in govt house could nt win a SINGLE seat in the Senate. PDP won 2 and CAN(now APC) won 1. The failure of APGA to conduct LG polls is because they are scared and they donlt control the grassroot. APGA should stop overrating their party in the SE. Among the 3 Contenders PDP, APC and APGA, no party has the SE in her kitty but PDP have a Upper-hand followed by APGA and APC coming 2nd and 3rd respectively

From all I know about elections in Nigeria prior to President Jonathan's administration. South East Election results were written in Abuja

Igbo nation was such disloyal to APGA that Obasanjo had 75% of South East votes to Ojukwu's 20% according to INEC results.

Every political analyst who uses Nigeria data and media references finds him/herself a laughing stock.

I am on ground,, the indisputable truth is every election in Imo State since APGA inception has been won by APGA.

APGA is an identity, it cannot die rather metamorphos to something greater. It's not dependant on its leadership rather the desire to be different.

So after talking and talking,is APGA presenting a Presidential candidate? I will believe this man when APGA joins the presidential race. Failure of APGA to do that,he is not different from Jonathan's buttlickers.

I have said this before and wil repeat it again. APGA should better watch it and start restrategising NOW. Cos, PDP will "disgracefully" surprise them in Anambra state come 2015. Chris Ngige(APC) even stands a better chance in Anambra Central than any APGA candidate. Though, he(Ngige) should also watch it cos PDP is "working" very hard to take/snatch/steal it from him. And as for Imo state, PDP wil put up a good fight but Rochas(APC) wil have the upper hand no matter the margin. APGA stands no chance in Imo as far as 2015 is concerned except GOD says otherwise. Udo diri unu

Ngwakwe:

From all I know about elections in Nigeria prior to President Jonathan's administration. South East Election results were written in Abuja

Igbo nation was such disloyal to APGA that Obasanjo had 75% of South East votes to Ojukwu's 20% according to INEC results.

Every political analyst who uses Nigeria data and media references finds him/herself a laughing stock.

I am on ground,, the indisputable truth is every election in Imo State since APGA inception has been won by APGA.

APGA is an identity, it cannot die rather metamorphos to something greater. It's not dependant on its leadership rather the desire to be different.

Ngwakwe if APGA enjoys such popularity in Imo State, why did it lose the Governorship polls to PPA's Ikedi Ohakim in 2007? Because APGA fielded Chief Agbaso in that poll and PDP fielded Ifeanyi Ararume-which as a party they didn't support?

whatlyf: Ngwakwe if APGA enjoys such popularity in Imo State, why did it lose the Governorship polls to PPA's Ikedi Ohakim in 2007? Because APGA fielded Chief Agbaso in that poll and PDP fielded Ifeanyi Ararume-which as a party they didn't support?

Martin Agbaso of APGA (the man that relinquished the APGA ticket for Rochas) won the election in a free and fair election.

INEC cancelled the governorship election while upholding the State Assembly polls conducted same time.

Orji Kalu then bought the seat from Iwu for PPA Candidate in the rescheduled election.

VAQAXY: GEJ will hand over to Peter Obi in 2019 by HIS GRACE.

if only dreams were horses..... dream on niggi.

Ngwakwe:

Martin Agbaso of APGA (the man that relinquished the APGA ticket for Rochas) won the election in a free and fair election.

INEC cancelled the governorship election while upholding the State Assembly polls conducted same time.

Orji Kalu then bought the seat from Iwu for PPA Candidate in the rescheduled election.

thank God for sparing our lives till this time. Ngwakwe let's go back to history!!!
In the run-off to the 2007 polls, PDP heirarchy had preferred Engineer Ugwu over Sen Ifeanyi Ararume that legitimately won the primaries. Inec refused to recognise Ararume but instead Ugwu. Few days to the election the Supreme Court Affirmed Ararume as the Authentic Candidate of PDP. The pdp was angry and "adopted" Chief Martin Agbaso as its candidate. On election, Ugwu's picture qas printed on the ballot paper instead of Ifeanyi Ararume which was in contravention of the electoral law. INEC had to cancel the election-which was the right thing to do and was affirmed by the Court of APpeal in Portharcourt.
Pls the cancellation was absolutely legal.
During the ru-run, it was discovered that Agbaso isn't from Okigwe Zone-that the then incumbent Achike Udenwa and the PDP had preferred, so their support was tilted to Choief Ikedi Ohakim of PPA who is from Okigwe and a Former PDP Member(with Agreement that he will return to PDP). Both the National and State Chapters of PDP backed Ohakim in the rescheduled election and he won.

whatlyf: Ngwakwe if APGA enjoys such popularity in Imo State, why did it lose the Governorship polls to PPA's Ikedi Ohakim in 2007? Because APGA fielded Chief Agbaso in that poll and PDP fielded Ifeanyi Ararume-which as a party they didn't support?

Martin Agbaso actually won that election and not Ohakim. The election was rigged to favour Ohakim and PPA. There was an agreement that it would be rigged to favour Ohakim if only Ohakim will defect to PDP which he did. That was exactly what happened.
APGA still holds a stronghold in Imo State.

berem: Martin Agbaso actually won that election and not Ohakim. The election was rigged to favour Ohakim and PPA. There was an agreement that it would be rigged to favour Ohakim if only Ohakim will defect to PDP which he did. That was exactly what happened.
APGA still holds a stronghold in Imo State.

No ma. Martin Agbaso won the first scheduled election because PDP abandoned Ararume not because Agbaso or APGA was very popular in imo 2007. PDP later withdrew their support in the rescheduled election and supported Ohakim. Agbaso challenged the election NOT because it was rigged like you claim but because he argued that his first victory shouldn't have been annuled. He lost the Appeal because INEC had put Ugwu's face on the ballot instead of Ararume

berem: So after talking and talking,is APGA presenting a Presidential candidate? I will believe this man when APGA joins the presidential race. Failure of APGA to do that,he is not different from Jonathan's buttlickers.

Shut up, u are not expected to dabbled into this matter, this not about APC nor ur lord buhari

VAQAXY: GEJ will hand over to Peter Obi in 2019 by HIS GRACE.

A comic relief for today
Who is feeding you with that idea? Handover by election or selection. Beyond the money laundering he is assisting some persons with in Abuja(by the way, he is very good at it), he can't be trusted with any position.
Ask him how easy it has been for him with his efforts at clinching Sen Puis Ayim's job, everybody knows he is not technically sound to handle that SGF job
When PDP needs a presidential candidate of Ibo extraction I am very certain Mr Obi will not be an option

thwarrior72: Shut up, u are not expected to dabbled into this matter, this not about APC nor ur lord buhari

Leave our sister alone.

You want us all to think alike , always agree on one thing and consequently die at same time for an error that would've been debated and caution taken.

Berem, I dey your back on your choice of association, critical thinking and party affiliation but not on attaching brotherhood which can be discuss in-house.

anag0900:

same old rubbish!!! from the onye driver...

My brother in Christ Anago

Please let's love one another because the bible said
That we should love each other and live in peace.

Accept VAQAXY as your beloved brother and let peace reign

Thanks and may God bless you as you repent from HATE

Jesus is Lord Amen

Ngwakwe:

Leave our sister alone.

You want us all to think alike , always agree on one thing and consequently die at same time for an error that would've been debated and caution taken.

Berem, I dey your back on your choice of association, critical thinking and party affiliation but not on attaching brotherhood which can be discuss in-house.

thank you nwanne. Despite our party affiliations,we must not fail to discuss the interest of Ndi Igbo at large.

Uche I am done engaging you until you accept to meet me so we can look into your issues critically!

Cuche: A comic relief for today
Who is feeding you with that idea? Handover by election or selection. Beyond the money laundering he is assisting some persons with in Abuja(by the way, he is very good at it), he can't be trusted with any position.
Ask him how easy it has been for him with his efforts at clinching Sen Puis Ayim's job, everybody knows he is not technically sound to handle that SGF job
When PDP needs a presidential candidate of Ibo extraction I am very certain Mr Obi will not be an option

Ngwakwe:

Leave our sister alone.

You want us all to think alike , always agree on one thing and consequently die at same time for an error that would've been debated and caution taken.

Berem, I dey your back on your choice of association, critical thinking and party affiliation but not on attaching brotherhood which can be discuss in-house.

Is she not supposedly my sister also?

whatlyf: No ma. Martin Agbaso won the first scheduled election because PDP abandoned Ararume not because Agbaso or APGA was very popular in imo 2007. PDP later withdrew their support in the rescheduled election and supported Ohakim. Agbaso challenged the election NOT because it was rigged like you claim but because he argued that his first victory shouldn't have been annuled. He lost the Appeal because INEC had put Ugwu's face on the ballot instead of Ararume

Who is Ugwu and Ararume to challenge APGA candidate in a free and fair election in Imo State?

In 2003, Engr. Ezekiel Izuogu defeated Achike Udenwa and PDP rigged the election.

PDP is the cause of present mismanagement in government in South East. Had OBJ and his band of evil geniuses allow peoples choice, responsible government would have prevailed before now.

I believe, before the end of 2019 when GEJ must have finished laying the foundation for a new Nigeria, small people-oriented parties will be springing up at the grassroots to take over government at local level

thwarrior72: Is she not supposedly my sister also?

I say our, you inclusive

Ngwakwe:


I say our, you inclusive

Ok, but I hate her pathological affiliation with APC

Ngwakwe:

Who is Ugwu and Ararume to challenge APGA candidate in a free and fair election in Imo State?

In 2003, Engr. Ezekiel Izuogu defeated Achike Udenwa and PDP rigged the election.

PDP is the cause of present mismanagement in government in South East. Had OBJ and his band of evil geniuses allow peoples choice, responsible government would have prevailed before now.

I believe, before the end of 2019 when GEJ must have finished laying the foundation for a new Nigeria, small people-oriented parties will be springing up at the grassroots to take over government at local level

Chief Onwuka Kalu won in Abia as well but was rigged out by Ouk and pdp.

Ngwakwe:

Who is Ugwu and Ararume to challenge APGA candidate in a free and fair election in Imo State?

In 2003, Engr. Ezekiel Izuogu defeated Achike Udenwa and PDP rigged the election.

PDP is the cause of present mismanagement in government in South East. Had OBJ and his band of evil geniuses allow peoples choice, responsible government would have prevailed before now.

I believe, before the end of 2019 when GEJ must have finished laying the foundation for a new Nigeria, small people-oriented parties will be springing up at grassroots to take over government at local level

The test of popularity is through the ballot. I can't tell the minds of Imolites as regards party popularity but from elections so far since 2003, APGA is not too popular in the state and South East region. As for the emboldened, In one line you acused PDP of being the cause of mismanagement in the SE, in another paragragh you wish the same PDP an extended Tenure at the center. This is an irony of what you actually expect. Should APGA fail to Present a Presidential Candidate in 2015 it will mean the end of whatever is left of the Party. AD learnt a hard lesson in 2003(Thanks to Bola Tinubu that rejuvenated the Party before the birth of AC, ACN and now APC).