Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Chief of Staff to Anambra State Governor, Chief Ernest Ezeajughi, has dismissed rumours of Professor Chukwuma Soludo planning to leave the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the ruling party in the state, for another party.
Ezeajughi made the statement following visit of President Bola Tinubu to the state, and the speculation that the visit was to prepare ground for the governor’s decamp to the party ruling at the centre.
Chief Ezeajughi, while reacting to the speculations, stated that those spreading such stories are merely attempting to overheat the political atmosphere in the state.
“Although APGA and APC share similar progressive ideologies, this does not imply that the governor intends to leave his party,” Ezeajughi said.
He said though there have been suggestions that the visit of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is a covert move by Governor Soludo to defect to the APC after the gubernatorial election scheduled for November 8 this year, Soludo is in APGA, which stands for the All Progressives Grand Alliance.”
“We have the All Progressives Congress (APC), and while both parties identify as progressives, one is older and the other APC, is currently at the federal center,” he added.
Ezeajughi noted that during President Tinubu’s visit to Anambra State, Governor Soludo urged the president to lead all progressives toward a better Nigeria.
“He remains firmly in APGA. The fact that both parties share progressive ideologies does not translate to defection,” he stated.
He further pointed out that APGA has a history of supporting sitting presidents and the ruling party at the center, without its governors defecting.
“It happened during Mr. Peter Obi’s time when President Goodluck Jonathan was in office, and again under Chief Willie Obiano during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration,” he said.
“That policy remains unchanged.”
“These rumours do not hold water. People often go around saying that Governor Soludo is joining the APC.
“However, the APC already has a gubernatorial candidate and a running mate. Are they suggesting that their candidate would be replaced by Governor Soludo? Even after the election, what purpose would it serve for him to join the APC,” Ezeajughi queried.
He expressed confidence in APGA’s prospects in the upcoming election but emphasized that they are not taking anything for granted.
