2023 Presidency: APGA, APC, PDP Leaders Back LP, Obi In Anambra

• Insist a new Nigeria possible voting right on Feb 25

BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – A carnival-like atmosphere took the centre stage in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State as leaders and members of some elite parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) dumped their parties to join forces with the Labour Party (LP) in the state.

The defectors made their intention known on Wednesday at a town hall meeting attended by the entire 20 villages in the community and the leadership of the major political parties in Agulu, the hometown of LP presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi

Organised under the chairmanship of Chief Franklin Anazodo at the Igwe Central Palace, Agulu, a mini-rally was staged for LP Presidential Candidate, Mr Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed with the leaders declaring that all their political structures have collapsed into LP ahead of the February 25 general elections.

Those who defected to LP include the PDP local government chairman in Anaocha, Mr. Ifeanyi Orji, secretary of APC in Anaocha, Mr Ezeabi Raymond Nonso, PDP chairman in Peter Obi’s Agulu Ward 2, Mr Charlie Chukwudebeku, former chairman of APGA Ward 4, Agulu, Chief Elias Abana and all their supporters.

Among those who defected are Chief Ifeanyi Oji – PDP Chairman Anaocha LGA; Nonso Ezeana – APC Secretary, Anaocha; Chief Charlie Chukwudebelu – Ward 2 Chairman, PDP Agulu (Peter Obi’s ward) and Chief Elias Abana – former Chairman of APGA Ward 4 Agulu and all their teeming followers and supporters.

In their separate speeches, the party leaders said they would not want to be working against the interest of most Nigerians who are clamouring that Peter Obi should be the next president of Nigeria, adding that their decision to join LP was based on the belief that Obi was the best person to lead Nigeria at the moment.

Convener of the rally, Chief Paulinus Aniagbaoso said the people of Agulu community and Anaocha Local Government, in general, have resolved to vote massively for LP from top to bottom, explaining that irrespective of their various party affiliations, the people met and resolved to vote for Obi because he remains the most qualified candidate for the job.

Chief Aniagbaoso, a former president-general of Agulu People’s Union (APU) and currently the Traditional Prime Minister of Agulu Kingdom (Onowu Agulu), further said; “We organised a meeting for all the political parties in Anaocha LGA and discussed critical issues concerning this election, particularly Obi’s acceptance across Nigeria.

“We reasoned that if Nigerians across regions and ethnic divides have accepted Peter Obi and are supporting him massively, what then will be the contribution of Agulu town and Anaocha LGA where he comes from?

“So, at the meeting, everybody agreed to give up the various posts they were holding in their various political parties and join hands with Obi in the LP. The people of Agulu resolved to vote all the LP candidates from top to bottom”.

Chief Aniagbaoso said only those who do not mean well for Nigeria are currently opposed to Peter Obi, whom he described as the best presidential candidate for the forthcoming election.

In his remarks, the Chairman of LP in Anambra state, Ugoo Eme, applauded the defectors for their “bold move”, noting that it was the right decision to take at this period when all hands are on deck to rescue Nigeria.

Eme challenged them to join other teeming members of the party in their ongoing door-to-door campaigns across the state to ensure that all the party’s candidates win in the state, adding; “Come out and be fully involved. You need to come out in your numbers and vote massively for the LP.

According to him; “Obi did very well as the governor and we believe he will do well as president. PDP says it is contesting with LP and APC says the same thing. This means that they know that we stand a very good chance to win this election. The door-to-door campaign of the LP is ongoing now. Please, join them in that good effort.”

On his part, the traditional ruler of Agulu, Igwe Innocent Obodoako, expressed happiness at the massive support his subject, Peter Obi, was getting across the country, saying he was confident he would win the presidential poll.

Announcing the official endorsement of the LP presidential candidate and other candidates of the party by the Agulu community, Igwe Obodoako urged his subjects not to listen to other people who might be coming to Agulu to campaign.

“We dedicate Peter Obi and all the LP candidates to God. They are all good candidates who will represent us well and they will all be giving Peter Obi the much-needed support to pilot the affairs of the country well. It is God who brought out Peter Obi, which is why he has so much support from across the country.

“We know our son and we are not surprised at the impact he is making in the presidential race and by the grace of God, he will be elected the next president of Nigeria. We, therefore, need everybody’s support to enable him reach the desired destination”.

Also speaking at the occasion, LP candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District, Senator Victor Umeh, said the former Anambra State governor has shown in clear terms that he was ready for the job, adding; “We’re lucky to have somebody like Peter Obi whom the Nigerian people want as their president. Obi has what it would take to reposition Nigeria. God is using him as an instrument.”

On his candidacy, Umeh alleged that one of his opponents has been spreading falsehood that he was no longer in the race, adding; “Some people are going about lying that I am no longer contesting for the Senate. I know the law. Before I joined LP, I checked the law and I know the law is on my side in this election.”