OBIANO LAUDS UMEH ON COURT VICTORY

Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has congratulated Chief Victor Umeh on his reaffirmation as the national chairman of APGA by the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja. In his reaction to the judgment of the Appeal Court delivered on Wednesday, June 19, 2014, Obiano said the restoration of Umeh to the leadership of the party was a 'well considered decision in equity.'

The Governor complimented Umeh for standing up to the challenges of strengthening the party at this critical time and for not shirking away from the demands of the struggle. Obiano saluted the Judiciary for its 'acute sense of responsibility and integrity in the discharge of its functions'; noting that the third arm of government had continued to 'enrich democratic freedoms and stabilize the polity.'

Chief Obiano said the upholding of the Umeh leadership after its wrongful nullification by a federal high court was a victory both for the members of APGA as a party and for party autonomy in its internal affairs. 'Every member of APGA who truly desires the well being and progress of the party should welcome this development. The party has been locked in needless tussles for some time now. Time that would have been spent in growing the party has been expended on rivalry and quarrels. But this judgment is focused and emphatic as to usher in a new phase of life for APGA. Furthermore, it upholds the right of members of a party to the leadership of their choice.'

The Anambra State Governor urged the APGA membership to see themselves as members of one family with a common vision and aspiration. He advised that there was a lot of work to be done in the party, Anambra State and in the country and everyone had a role to play. The Governor noted that as his administration's development train gathers momentum, the need for united party and citizen support could not be more auspicious.