A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra has called on Gov. Willie Obiano to emulate Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi and defect to APC.
Mr Paulchuks Umenduka, APC Chairman, Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra State made the call on Sunday in Awka.
Umenduka said the defection of Gov. Umahi has further boosted the chances of the state in benefiting from the federal government programmes as well as interface with other progressive governors.
The APC chieftain who said he was happy over the bold move by Umahi, added that the development has further brightened the opportunity of the party in the zone.
“For us in Anambra, this development is a boost for our campaign towards clinching the Novermber 2021 governorship election in the state.
“Umahi’s defection from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to APC was greeted with happiness by supporters of the party in Aguata and other parts of Anambra because we know what that means to our next year’s governorship campaign.
“We now have two APC governors in the South-East to coordinate the activities in addition to what our national Secretariat will be doing and definitely the campaign will be a work over,” he said.
Umenduka who said that his call on Obiano to join the party was to end years of the state playing “single state opposition’ which according to him has robbed the state of several opportunities.
“Anambra is the only state where the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) controls and this has made the state function like political orphan in the recent past.
“If Obiano should emulate Umahi’s defection move, it would change the narrative and the people will benefit more,” he said.
He said that Umahi’s move has reduced the strength of the position in the Southeast, noting that the ruling APC would begin to view the zone differently in terms of development and sharing of national cake. “APC is building the second Niger Bridge reconstructing the Enugu/Onitsha highway in addition to reactivation of the Onitsha Inland Waterways etc.
“Anambra got all these as opposition, I believe that we will get more if Obiano crosses over to the party now,” he said.
Umenduka said since Umahi’s defection that the party officials have intensified grassroots arrangements on how to attract more people from other parties in area.
He cautioned those saying that APC is anti-Igbo, saying that Mr President was doing his best to all in the face of daunting security and economic challenges.
“No reasonable person can say that APC is anti-Igbo party, we have enjoyed more from APC than we did in PDP in terms of infrastructures and the evidence is there.
“APC holds better future for our people and producing Nigeria President of Igbo extraction is achievable through our party,” he said.
