THE SECRETE STORY OF APGA: HOW IT DECEIVES PEOPLE FOR VICTORY

The story of Chameleon changing colour on sighting a new mixture of colours is obsolete and does not make news any longer due to its reoccurrences. But in the case of the 'ALMIGHTY ALL PROGRESSIVES GRAND ALLIANCE APGA', it has always adopted one Presidential Candidate or the other even when it claims to be an Igbo party. Was it lack of ambition? Is it because the man with long red cap has made the party a private business enterprise after negotiating with people at the top?

Does it mean that Igbo people are not capable of holding the Presidential Office even when they boast that APGA is their only ethnic political platform under which, their ambition will be actualized? Or does it mean that Igbos are fearful of occupying the number one seat in the country?

Worrisome as it seems, the leaders of APGA know that the platform has no office in Kano, Kaduna, Borno, Kebi and cannot be careless to waste resources, contesting for the Presidential seat. No wonder it continues to adopt the presidential candidate from any ruling party!

This same self-acclaimed 'Igbo' party, either by commission or omission shall adopt the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the 2015 general elections if it wins the Presidential Seat. This is a prediction that can't be thwarted.

Besides, since 2003 when APGA started adopting the PDP's presidential candidate, the general public is keenly watching in earnest to receive answers to these questions:

1. Has PDP rewarded APGA with any ministerial Position?

2. Has APGA got any Board Appointment as a reward for their support?

3. Is APGA in any alliance with the oppressors of Ndi-Igbo to continue to deny Ndi-Igbo the presidential seat?

But the leadership of APGA knows very well that the Igbos have everything required to contest for the desirable seat.

It is in the process of seeking solution to this menace orchestrated against Ndi-Igbo by the PDP camp necessitated discussion reached among the defunct ACN, CPC, ANPP and some faction of APGA which metamorphosed into the All Progressives Congress (APC) today in Nigeria.

It is obvious that Igbos cannot regain their position in the political landscape of Nigeria without going into alliance with the Northerners, Westerners and other concerned Nigerians who feel bad against what Ndi-Igbo are passing through in the country.

This discussion was in the interest of Ndi-Igbo and others which crystallized into three (3) committees to form what is now known as APC with a view to wrestling power from the PDP.

A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi stated this while inaugurating three committees saddled with the responsibilities of producing the documents and others.

One of the three committees would produce the constitution; the second, the manifesto committee; will produce the motto, slogan and messages of the party, and the third, Committee on Legal and Constitutional Compliance; will handle documentations on how to meet the legal requirements for its registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

All the committees have two weeks within which to submit their reports to the Joint-Party Merger Committee.

Each committee has 20 members.
Among those in the party's Constitution committee were Governor Abubakar Yari of Zamfara State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Chief Segun Osoba, Dr. Chris Ngige, Senator John Udoedehe, Attahiru Bafarawa, Prof. Fabian Osuji and Chika Nawauwa.

The Manifesto Committee had Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Dr. Usman Bugaje, Chief Achike Udenwa, Prof. Tam David-West, Chief Osita Okechukwu, Mr. Ezenwa Onyewuchi and Chief Ikechukwu Alor, among others as members.

Among those saddled with the responsibility of providing legal and constitutional compliance for INEC were Borno State Governor, Ibrahim Shetima; Chief James Ocholi (SAN), Prof. Buba Bagoja, Chief Henry Ajomale, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Chief Martin Agbaso, Dr. Anyim Nyerere and Prince Marshal Anyanwu.

This is culled from APC gets constitution, manifesto in two weeks Ikimi

APGA leadership was duly represented in the committees by Chief Martin Agbaso, Prince Marshal Anyanwu and others.

So what went wrong? Right now APGA is on its own. Has the party leadership gone back to the oppressors of Ndi-Igbo who vowed that Nigerian currency will be called NAIRA (Never Allow Igbo Rule Again) or could it be personal interest?

From my sanctum, I tried to find out what went wrong and here is the shocking revelation.

Victor Umeh was to sign on behalf of APGA but along the line he got a court judgment in his favour declaring him the authentic APGA Chairman. Guess what he did? He left with the choice of choosing between the collective interest of Ndi-Igbo and his personal interest; please help me guess what his choice is. Igbos can go to hell as long as he remains the life chairman of APGA.

Moreover, the oppressors of Ndi-Igbo (PDP) know that as long as Chief Umeh remains the APGA chairman, Igbos must adopt them as their president. What of Nda Martin Agbaso?

It is understandable but appalling that when his brother lost his Deputy Governorship Position, Martin lost interest in the party and the Igbo agenda in general.

What of Prince Marshal Okafor-Anyanwu? We all know what happened. He followed Owelle Rochas Okorocha as long as his bread is buttered.

At this point we can understand who among them that maintained the Igbo agenda. I will try not to mention his name because I am not his fan though I have no reason not to be. Owelle Ndi-Igbo, that is what he is called, stood his ground for Ndi-Igbo.

Looking at what transpired, APGA was not joining APC rather she was forming APC with others. One cannot rightly say that APGA want to join APC rather one can say that APGA formed APC with others.

To be continued
APGA playing the second fiddle!
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-Ifeanyi Opara is a social commentator who writes from Owerri, Imo State