From Our Correspondent
Awka, Feb. 9, ’25 (TNZ) A group under the aegis of Concerned members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State has kicked against the plans by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in 2021, Mr Valentine Ozigbo to join the party.
TheNewsZenith reports that the group urged the national leadership of APC to reject the move.
It said Ozigbo was moving solely to use APC as a platform to contest the forthcoming governorship election.
The group alleged that Ozigbo, a loyalist of the Labour Party, had concluded plans to join APC and to contest for the party’s ticket during the April 5 governorship primary.
Chief Festus Ezeako, the group chairman, warned APC not to open its doors to Ozigbo.
He would be coming into the party; APC does not condone denominational politics.
“Ozigbo made a U-turn from the Labour Party and is now on his way to join the APC.
“He has begun to whip up religious and denominational sentiments; even before fully joining the party.
“The bad news is that the denominational politics, which they used in destroying the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Labour Party is the only value he is coming to introduce into APC.
“Ozigbo is hinging his desire to join APC on religious and denominational background.
“This, APC party must reject instantly,” TheNewsZenith quotes Ezeako as saying.
Read Related News:
- Video: APC group mobilises members for LG poll in Lagos
- Stop denigrating the judiciary, TMSG tells Atiku
- Appointment of Yorubas: Sen Sani blasts Tinubu’s critics
- Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda’ll make Nigeria greater – Alabi
- Election: CSOs present 21 recommendations to National Assembly
According to him, the Anambra State governorship election has never been based on religion and denomination.
“Rather, it has been on the strength and character of the candidate and the party platform on which a candidate is running,” he said.
Ezeako recalled that during the 2021 Anambra governorship election, Ozigbo and his mentor got the endorsement of Catholic bishops but he still lost the election.
He said this was because critical stakeholders in Anambra did not support the religious sentiment that Ozigbo was canvassing.
This is coupled with the resentment of other denominations who disdained the kite of denominational dichotomy.
“All of them, put together, did not support him and he failed. He will fail again as denominational sentiment has become a vexed issue in the governorship election.
“Ozigbo’s entry into APC will be a distraction. He is neither coming in with any political structure nor strong influence.
“Obedient Movement has since fizzled out, which was not his structure anyway.
“So, of what value is Val Ozigbo’s entry into APC, if not to confuse our party?
“APC should reject all appearances of religious and denominational sentiment, which is what Ozigbo is coming to APC to fan,” he said. (TNZ)
Do you have a flair for Citizenship Journalism? Share stories of happenings in your area with TheNewsZenith on WhatsApp: +2348033668669. For more scintillating news, visit our website: www.thenewszenith.com. Also follow us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thenewszenithOnline, Facebook: www.facebook.com/@thenewszenithonline & Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@thenewszenithonline
