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Tag: APGA

  • Anambra Govt seals offices of APGA, Labour Party ahead of LG election

    Anambra Govt seals offices of APGA, Labour Party ahead of LG election

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Anambra Government through the State Housing Development Corporation, has sealed off the offices of the Edozie Njoku faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the Labour Party (LP), and the office of Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District.

    The offices, located at the Udoka Housing Estate in Awka, the state capital, were sealed off by agents of the Corporation accompanied by men dressed in military and police uniforms.

    The reason given for the seal-off was that the estate is a residential area, not a business or political area

    However, it was gathered that during Soludo’s governorship campaign in 2010, his office was also located in the same Udoka estate, raising questions about the government’s motives.

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    The Labour Party has condemned the action, stating that it was carried out without notice, warning, or any form of engagement with the party.

    The party’s secretary, C.J. Okoli Akirika, described the action as “unfortunate, bizarre, and brazen” and vowed to seek legal redress.

    Akirika said the party’s staff were chased away and the office sealed off in a “maniacal, frenzied, and frenetic commando-like operation”.

    He accused the state government of attempting to truncate statutorily emplaced procedures and resorting to underhand, illegal, and obnoxious intimidation.

    The seal-off has been seen as a move to suppress opposition parties in the state, amidst the ongoing controversy over the leadership of APGA and the recent recognition of Edozie Njoku as the party’s national chairman by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The Edozie Njoku faction of APGA has been at loggerheads with the Sly Ezeokenwa leadership of the party, which is loyal to Soludo.

    The Labour Party, which fielded Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has also been critical of the state government.

    Also speaking to Journalists on the development, the National Vice Chairman of APGA, South East, Hon Engr. Tony Uche Ezekwelu, described the action of the Anambra Government as intimidating, suppression and act of impunity.

    According to him, what really happened toda, is purely political. The incident happened exactly 10am. I am a witness to what happened because I am currently in Anambra State for an official assignment to monitor the selling of our party (APGA) Chairmanship form for the forthcoming September 28th, 2024 local government election in the state.

    “I was shocked about the incident because, we have been in this building for the past two months without such incident, why now? We were not given any notice to quit our office. They invaded us unnoticed. I strongly believe that the action has a link to the forthcoming local overnment election

    “The invasion has a political undertone. We are calling on the state governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo to fully accept the Supreme Court Judgement that affirmed Mt.Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of the our great party for the sake of peace.

    “Njoku has come to stay as the National Chairman of APGA with Chief Chekwas Okorie as the Board of Trustees Chairman of the party.

    Engr Ezekwelu while disclosing that APGA, under the leadership of Mr. Njoku has setup a reconciliation committee to reconcile all aggrieved party members, assure that the party is fully prepared to participate the Anambra Local Government Election.

  • Awka North APGA lauds Soludo’s agric initiatives, pledges total support

    Awka North APGA lauds Soludo’s agric initiatives, pledges total support

    By Ovat Abeng

    The leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for coming up with a well thought-out agricultural initiative targeted at ending hunger in the state, saying that it’s a welcome development.

    Chairman of the party in the LGA, Hon. James Onwuka, and the secretary, Chief Amaechi Obiesili, at the flag off ceremony of the Sustainable Action Against Hunger held at a farmland along the newly constructed Amansea – Ndiukwuenu Road, on Saturday said that the initiative was timely as it came at a time when many Nigerians were battling with hunger.

    The duo said that the agric initiative themed “Operation Farm to Feed”, if put into action and sustained, would help to maximally reduce hunger and ensure food security in the state and the country at large.

    Also speaking, the Transition Committee Chairman of the LGA, Hon. ThankGod Anago; former State Auditor of the party, Chief Anthony Nchekwube (Dunga), Chief Lawrence Onwuzuka (Akpaka Achalla) and the Vice Chairman of the party in the LGA, Hon. Emeka Iliemene, in their separate remarks, commended Governor Soludo, saying that they were confident that the government’s target of ensuring food security in the state would be achieved if everyone queued into the initiative.

    The party leaders pledged their total support for the governor’s agric campaign, saying that they would take it to the grassroots for maximum results.

    Being farmers themselves, the APGA leaders said that they agreed completely with the governor’s ideas on farming, saying that they would give the campaign a very strong push.

    Soludo, at the flag off ceremony, spoke passionately about the need for people, irrespective of their status, to embrace farming as a measure against hunger, saying that it’d help to ensure food security in the country.

    The governor, who encouraged civil and public servants to embrace farming, said that he had been inspired to partake actively in farming activities by his wife, Nonye, who herself runs some farms in Awka, the state capital.

    “I thank Ndi Anambra particularly the youths for choosing to farm instead of joining protests going on in various parts of the country. We have come here to say that it’s time for action”, Soludo added.

  • Anambra 2025: APGA organizes grassroot mobilization summit for soludo’s reelection bid in Anoacha LGA

    Anambra 2025: APGA organizes grassroot mobilization summit for soludo’s reelection bid in Anoacha LGA

    By Ovat Abeng

    Ahead of the 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, political stakeholders under the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), in Anoacha Local Government Area of the State, has organized a one-day grassroot mobilization summit tagged; Anoacha APGA Stakeholders Summit 2024″ for Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s re-election bid.

    It was gathered that the summit that took place at Golden Tulip Hotel Agulu, on Saturday with the theme; Governance and the people duty of the political party at the grassroots, attracted all APGA supporters across the 19 political Wards that constitute the Council Area.

    In his address, the APGA Chairman in Anoacha Council Area, Chief Sir Anthony Ugorji, said the major aimed of the summit is to brainstormed on how the party in the Area under his watch can carry out an intensive door-door mobilization campaign for Soludo second term reelection.

    According to him, the strength of any political party is the ability to mobilized and win an election.

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    “Our primary objective is to ensure that governor Soludo is reelected for second term in office.

    “APGA started it effectiveness in Anaocha council area with Mr. Peter Obi as governor in 2006 who is also a native of the area and we are bent to maintain the status quote.

    Chief Udorji reminded the stakeholders of the special love Soludo has for Anoacha people.

    The Chairman also highlighted some of the achievements recorded within two years in office by Soludo led administration in the state which includes; the employment of over 5,000 teachers, employment of 400 health workers, empowerment of 10,000 youths through the state “one youth, two skill empowerment programme and the ongoing construction of 400 kilometres of roads across the 21 local government areas of the state.

    He advised Anoacha people to reciprocate the love by standing firm in supporting APGA in the upcoming governorship election without having double mind.

    He also appeal for financial support to enable the party commence it door-door campaign in the area.

    Further more, the State Commissioner for Health and a Chieftain of the party in the area, Dr. Afam Obidike, expressed joy that APGA is coming up with different new party structure which must grow from the grassroots to the Federal level.

    Obidike explained that with the new structures of APGA, there will be effective delivery of democracy dividend and election victory come 2025.

    In their brief separate speeches, the chairman/secretary, planning committee of the summit, Chief Inno Posh Chikezie and Comrade Rome Ibekwe, says the brain behind the gathering is also to restrategize on how the council will secure 100 percent votes for Governor Soludo”s re-election bid.

    The event also features award presentation to some party leaders including Hon Dozie Nwankwo, Dr.Afam Obidike, Chief Ben Obi, Barrister Uju Nwogu, among others and empowerment of 19 women with N50,000 each from the council area.

  • Armed Forces Day: Inculcate Spirit Of Brotherhood, Camaraderie – APGA National Chairman charges Nigerians

    Armed Forces Day: Inculcate Spirit Of Brotherhood, Camaraderie – APGA National Chairman charges Nigerians

    By Ovat Abeng

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa has implored Nigerians to embrace love and unity in honor of the valiant men and women who have served and sacrificed for the country’s peace and stability.

    Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed every 15th of January, is a day Nigeria commemorates the supreme price paid by our service men and women in keeping the country united and safe.

    Ezeokenwa encouraged citizens across all divides to reflect on the relentless efforts and ultimate sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

    He urged Nigerians to mirror the spirit of brotherhood and camaraderie exhibited by our troops on the front lines and inculcate these values in our daily dealings with fellow Nigerians.

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    “Today, we stand in memory of our courageous soldiers. Their unwavering determination and selflessness weave the very fabric of our national flag and embody our collective will to prevail against adversity.

    “Let every Nigerian, from every state, every tribe, and every walk of life, join hands in unity – this is the most fitting tribute we can pay to our fallen heroes,” said Barr Ezeokenwa.

    The APGA boss emphasized that remembrance is only the first step; action must follow. He called upon all Nigerians to actively foster an environment of mutual respect and understanding.

    “Our differences are the palette that colors our nation vibrant and beautiful. Let’s work together, with hearts full of love, to create a masterpiece worthy of the sacrifice of our armed forces,” he continued.

    Ezeokenwa further stressed that the stability and growth of Nigeria rest not only on the might of its Armed Forces but also on the collective will of its people to live in harmony.

    “As we honor our heroes today, let us also pledge to be the architects of peace in our daily lives, for true peace is achieved not only through victory on the battlefield but also through love in our communities,” he stressed.

  • Anambra remains APGA land – Soludo replies APC

    Anambra remains APGA land – Soludo replies APC

    By Ovat Abeng

    Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, through his Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, has responded to the claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will die a natural death in 2025.

    Aburime said the APC doesn’t exist in Anambra state.

    Aburime, who disclosed this while speaking to Journalists in his office at the Government House Awka, on Wednesday, said the APC state chairman Mr. Basil Ejidike, spoke from the figment of his own imagination because no such thing would ever happen in 2025.

    He said Anambra State is APGA land and will forever remain APGA land because the people have come to accept the All Progressives Grand Alliance as their own political movement and there is absolutely nothing the APC or other opposition parties can do about it.

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    The governor’s press secretary maintained that Anambra is not Imo State and that the APC-led federal government led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a known democrat and lover of democracy who will not like to interfere with elections in other states and this Anambra APC people equally know fully well that APC does not exist in Anambra and will never exist in Anambra state because this is APGA land.

    On the comparison between Anambra and Ebonyi State, the governor’s aide maintained that there is absolutely no basis for comparison because even the opposition elements could see what Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has been able to achieve in less than two years in office.

    Aburime said, “We have been hearing what Basil Ejidike, the state chairman of APC in Anambra has been saying. It’s like he is not part of the people living in Anambra State. He keeps saying that Soludo has done nothing; maybe he must have been going around blindfolded.

    “There are roads for him to see. There are other infrastructures for him to see. There are so many things Soludo is doing and every normal human being is seeing them. Something must be wrong with Basil Ejidike. He needs to check his entire psychological being to ensure that he is actually a normal person.

    “There is no basis for comparing Ebonyi and Anambra because Ebonyi has been a state that was under a governor for 8 years. Soludo is just 2 years in office and look at what he has done so far. He can even match up to other states where a governor has been there for 8 years.

    “In less than 2 years, Soludo has turned the entire state into a construction site and it is only a blind man that will say he is not seeing what Soludo is doing in Anambra State. But our consolation lies in the fact that Ndi-Anambra are happy with what Soludo is doing and they are ready to support him.

    “Let me tell Basil Ejidike that Anambra is APGA land and Ndi-Anambra will forever support APGA because APGA is naturally our party.”

    Aburime, who gave further clarifications, said they were used to perennial and serial contestants like those the APC state chairman mentioned in his claims but according to him, Soludo is far ahead of such characters, stressing that when the die is cast, Soludo’s works will speak vigorously for him.

    He said APGA is not shaking one bit because it is fully on ground in Anambra State and APC according to him, is not on ground even as he pointed out that what the APC does is to go about bribing journalists with money to project wrong information about the state.

    “We know them. Those who have been here have seen what Soludo has done so far and they are proud of him. Soludo is not a politician but a statesman. So you can’t compare politicians with no ideology to Soludo who is a statesman and has his own philosophy and ideology he is pursuing.

    “Soludo is the only governor that has shown so much empathy and compassion for the downtrodden. Soludo’s government is a government of the poor and the downtrodden. His free education policies, free antenatal and delivery services and gifts for nursing mothers.

    “Soludo is a governor for the poor and that is why Ndi-Anambra are happy with him. Let me make it categorically clear that power belongs to the people and the people are with Soludo.

    “APC does not exist in Anambra State. They are just noisemakers in the media. Anambra APC is blind to Soludo’s achievements. They are just being mischievous unnecessarily,” Aburime stated.