Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Abia State, Professor Greg Ibe, has charged the new national leadership of the party to vigorously pursue the lofty dreams of achieving national spread as envisioned by the founding fathers.
This was contained in his congratulatory message to the Chief Sly Ezeokenwa-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the party which emerged at its national convention held Wednesday in Awka, Anambra State.
According to the message signed by the Director, Media and Publicity of his Campaign Organisation, Rev. Sleep Ogwo, urgent steps should be taken to reconcile and unite aggrieved party members. unite
The statement read in part: He should as a matter of urgency strengthen every organ of the party, reconcile differing factions to attain political harmony and embark on grassroots mobilisation of new members in order to realise the lofty dream of achieving national spread as conceived by the founding fathers of our party.”
He lauded the immediate past National Chairman, Ozonkpu Victor Oye and members of his NWC for their sacrificial stewardship to the party, which according to him, produced many legacies.
Professor Ibe also commended APGA national Leader, Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, for hosting a successful convention.
He also congratulated other leaders of the party who emerged both at the National Convention and Congresses held at Ward, LGA and State levels.
“I also want to use this platform to congratulate Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on his election as a member of our Board of Trustees and Rev Augustine Ehiemere who emerged unopposed as Vice Chairman for South-East,” he added.
Reacting to a purported factionalisation of the Abia State Working Committee of APGA, Prof Ibe stated that as leader of the party he refrained from interfering with the conduct of Ward, LGA and State Congresses, choosing rather to maintain unbiased neutrality throughout the duration of the exercise.
He said that “as a leader of the party in Abia, I determined not to interfere with the conduct of the Congresses in order to allow our members elect their chieftains democratically, of course with the guidance of State and National Officers.
He urged the Chief Emmanuel Egwu-led faction to surrender to the Ambassador Sunday Onukwubiri-led state leadership already recognised by the NWC.
“Now that the NWC has authenticated the election of Ambassador Sunday Onukwubiri as State Chairman at the just concluded National Convention, I want to appeal to the Chief Emmanuel Egwu-led faction to please sheath their sword in order to create enabling environment for peaceful resolution of all contentious issues as one united family and in the spirit of ‘Onye Aghala Nwanneya.'”
He, however, urged Onukwubiri to be magnanimous in victory “by extending the proverbial hand of fellowship to aggrieved members in order to unite the party.”
