The New APGA, a breakaway group from mainstream All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Imo State had a deal with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP during the last governorship election in the State.
This may have contributed to the victory of Hon. Emeka Ihedioha in the March 9 governorship election considering how well rooted APGA is in Imo State.
APGA was tipped as likely winner of the polls but it was hit by a major crisis after Senator Ifeanyi Araraume picked the party’s governorship ticket in controversial circumstances.
This led to exit of key members of the party including governorship aspirants such as former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim, Okey Ezeh, Hon. Uche Onyeagocha and others.
The trio except Mr. Ezeh formed the New APGA and went to court to challenge Araraume’s victory at the primaries. All that ended in futility as the centre could no longer hold.
The group yesterday formally declared for the PDP recalling how it’s role during the elections.
Secretary of N- APGA, Tobechi Chigbu, in his speech recalled how a Ten man Committee was empanelled to work our ” a work/reward arrangement” between the PDP and the new APGA at a meeting co-ordinated by former Governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa.
He said ” The Committee met severally and arrived at a Work/Reward arrangement and 20 percent arrangement was ceded to N- APGA, which you ratified, should we succeed.The purpose of this visit is not to remind you of that agreement because we are rest assured in your jealously guarded mantra of “my word is my bond”
At an elaborate event held at the country home of the Governor elect, Ihedioha, those behind the formation of New APGA in the State official joined the PDP, which was mere ceremony since most of them had began their political voyage from the past.
Apart from Hon.Uche Onyeagocha who had never associated with the PDP since his political career, others such as Former Minister of Interior, Capt Emma Ihenacho and Dr. Alex Obi were core PDP chieftains in the past.
Ihenacho was a governorship aspirant in the PDP before he jumped to APGA in 2014 while Dr.Alex Obi, was State Chairman of the PDP in Imo State for a long period of time.
The formal declaration of N- APGA for PDP put to rest the existence of the group who could be remembered for its role in stabilizing APGA in Imo State before the party was shattered to bits and pieces before the governorship election.
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