Ahead of the zonal caucus meeting of the All Progressive Congress (APC) billed for Tuesday, April 2, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha and the National Welfare Secretary of the party, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, on Monday welcomed some ranking members of the PDP into the APC.
Their defection from the PDP to the APC was announced during a stakeholders meeting convened at the instance of the minister in her country home, Isuochi, Abia State.
Among those received, were: the immediate past chief of staff to former governor Ikpeazu, Prof. A. C. B Agbazuere, Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, immediate past information commissioner, Chief Eze Nwanganga, Commissioner for Public Utilities, Chief Sam Nwogu, former Commissioner for Environment.
Others are: Elder Godwin Nna, former Commissioner for Commerce, Chief Uzor Ihuka , commissioner representing Isiala-ngwa North, Isiala-ngwa South and Osisioma Local Government Areas on the Board of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, (ASOPADEC) and host of other PDP key PDP members from across the 17 local government and three senatorial districts of the state.
Speaking during the meeting, the Minister who warmly addressed the new members, expressed her gratitude for their choice to join the APC during a time she described as timely.
She explained that she was reluctant to convene a meeting since she assumed office as a minister because she found a herself in a new work environment and had to focus on her new assignment before taking certain decisions.
She said she was not just struck by their large number, but also deeply impressed with the fact that they all possess the political credentials to secure victories for the APC in subsequent elections.
“I appreciate you all for joining the APC. I can see some very experienced and season politicians here. As a minister, I am a minister for Abia State and for everybody. I pledge my loyalty to Nigeria, Abia State and to my party the APC.
“I am convinced with the faces I am seeing here today, because they are people who will always win election in their areas. They are people you cannot neglect”, said Onyejeocha who assured them of of relaying their message to President Tinubu.
She promised to continue to strive to serve her people and the country, adding that, peace is her ultimate goal, and would “always strive for it”
“As a Minister appointed, l understand the responsibility entrusted to me. I am dedicated to fulfilling the party’s promises. Abia State holds a special place in my heart. In my role at the Ministry of Labour, I am committed to fulfilling the core mission of reducing poverty and creating jobs –not just for Abia, but for all of Nigeria. My aim is to showcase the best of Abia to the entire nation and make all Abians proud”, she said.
Meanwhile, the National Welfare Secretary of the APC, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, has dismissed claims of division within the Abia State chapter of the party.
Nwankpa made the clarification while addressing the decampees, urging both old and new members of the party to embark on aggressive grassroots mobilisation for the APC ahead of future elections.
He said: “I thank the Honourable Minister, for this all in important meeting, and I want to assure her here before our new members, that there is no onlooker here. Everyone here is registered members of our party.
“Now, to our new members, I want to remind you that politics is local, and I want you to know that there is no faction in Abia APC. Go and preach the message of APC in your various wards and LGA. Avoid internal rivalry. Go and unite and reason together to win for our party, APC.
“I believe in the leadership of Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, and the leader of South East, APC, Gov. Hope Uzodinma”.
On his part, Chief Emeka Atuma, a two time member of House of Representatives, said the gathering was to create a powerful and successful group for the APC.
His words: “This meeting is aimed at forming a winning force for APC. As we all know, Hon. Nkeiruka is a force, herself and can defend the cause of Abia.
“I want to let us know that we are on the right track, and with the right channel. I urge you all to give the Minister our maximum support to succeed in her leadership.
On his part, Hon. Dan Okeke said there was real sense of excitement for him to be part of the meeting. While thanking the minister for convening the meeting, he said her leadership has instilled renewed confidence in them because she has consistently proven herself to be someone they can rely on.
“She has always been a leader you can trust. She is my leader and remains my leader. I have never had any regret following her. I am happy that we also have the National Welfare Secretary of our party, and state party chairman. We are united APC”.
While unveiling his membership at the meeting, Prof. A. C. B Agbazuere, who was joined by other former PDP stakeholders, described the event as divinely mandated by God. He further expressed confidence in the leadership ability of Onyejeocha, saying only a capable leader could have attracted such number of personalities to the meeting.
He said: “Today is not of man, but God, and the Bible told us that at times God turned the counsel of Ahitophel into foolishness. That is what has happened to my former party.
“Hon. Minister, you can see the caliber of people who are joining you in the APC. It is a testament to our vision. The time of APC is now.
“I have already communicated with my people, and meetings will start henceforth. We are going to support the Minister and the APC. Those thinking that APC is having problem, should know that President Tinubu is a different person in politics, and the best thing is for everyone of us is to fall in line”.
The immediate past Abia State commissioner for information, Barr. Eze Chikamnayo, who spoke earlier during the meeting, pledged his loyalty to the APC and the Onyejeocha.
He said: “I thank the Hon. Minister for this meeting. What we are doing here today is that we are to reinforce the ruling party and to make a change
Obinna Oriaku, a two time member of House of Representatives and APC governorship aspirant in the 2023 election, expressed joy for being part of the new dream to build a formidable APC in the state.
According to Mr. Obinna, “I have seen the interest, impact and usefulness being an APC.
“We don’t have faction, and our leader is here, in the person of Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha. If we get it right from now, by being in unison, we will achieve result”, he added.
Party members in attendance are:
National Welfare Secretary, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, former commissioner for finance in Abia state, Chief Obinna Oriaku, former House of Representatives member, Chief Emeka Atuma, APC National Welfare Secretary, former APC Ohafia/Arochukwu Federal Constituency candidate, Chief Ben Godson, former Abia APC Publicity Secretary, Chief Perfect Okorie, former APC Publicity Secretary and other stakeholders in attendance.
