Obi disappointed us –APGA Chieftain

                                                             Obiano, Chidioka and Eze and Obi
As APGA continues its guess at the crystal ball over its political future following the sudden departure of former governor Peter Obi, its leader and former BOT Chairman, a Chieftain of the party, Mr. Mmaduabuchukwu Akudu, has urged the party faithful to be strong and never lose hope.

Akudu who spoke in an interview with, said although change is evitable, the manner of Obi’s departure left most party members disappointed. His words: “the move to PDP is one of the worst disappointments we have had in recent times because of the way he effected his own change. Former governor Peter Obi is a political colossus, a role model, a kingmaker, and one of the leaders of Anambra people because of what he used APGA to achieve for Anambra state.
“So, for him to just wake up one morning and gather people in his house and announce he has joined PDP is totally wrong. He should have done extensive consultation with the people that have shown him love and support for the past twelve years in the state politics. He lost the 2003 governorship election by crook and the people stood by him all the time he fought in the law courts to regain his victory. The people stood behind him throughout his leadership until he handed over to the present governor.
“He should have taken time to explain to the people this sudden change and why he thinks it is okay both for him and his followers who now look up to him as mentor and leader. Nobody is against him supporting President Goodluck Jonathan. But what about the legacies he created as APGA leader? I just returned from Anambra and I noticed that some people see him as a sellout.”
Akudu who wants to represent Njikoka11 Constituency in Anambra State House Of Assembly, Awka, said Obi’s departure will not derail the Chief Willie Obiano’s government which the former governor nurtured to life since the government is already in full throttle. He said: “His departure from APGA will not affect Governor Willie Obiano government negatively. Gov. Obiano is his own man who has the capacity and capability to govern Anambra well. For Gov. Obiano to hit the ground running shows the stuff he is made of. He does not need governance lessons from anybody. It is obvious to everybody in Anambra state that Gov. Obiano has focus. APGA as a political party will outlive Peter Obi. His departure is good for the party because Obi before now was even trying to create division in the party considering his not too good relationship with Chief Victor Umeh, National Chairman of the party. Now that Obi has left, the party will put itself together and move on.”
On why his party APGA, its Chairman, Sir Victor Umeh, and Gov. Obiano, are campaigning for President Jonathan, Bar. Akudu who also is a member of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigerian, TAN said APGA will not field any presidential candidate in 2015. He added that TAN has become a whirlwind of support for President Jonathan in South east and beyond. His words: “TAN has successfully mobilized support across the country for President Jonathan that his party, PDP, has little or nothing to do anymore to win the election in 2015. The opposition parties especially APC is relegated to the background now. I think it is a waste of resources for them to contest 2015 presidential race. They should just surrender to President Jonathan.”
Excerpt:
How do you see Willie Obiano’s government in Anambra state?
It is safe to say that Gov. Willie Obiano is an action governor. Within a short period of time he has shown that he has the capacity to govern Anambra well. In the area of security, Anambra residents can now sleep with their two eyes closed. You can drive around in your big cars without being afraid of kidnappers and armed robbers. Awka, the capital is now beginning to look like state capital because work is going on in virtually all the nooks and crannies of the city.
Former governor Peter Obi who nurtured Governor Willie as successor has just left APGA for PDP. How do you see that move?
Well change is the only thing that is permanent in life. But the nature and manner of the change determines how people perceive the change. As regards Anambra state and APGA, my position is that the move to PDP is one of the worst disappointments we have had in recent times because of the way he effected his own change. Former governor Peter Obi is a political colossus, a role model, a kingmaker, and one of the leaders of Anambra people because of what he used APGA to achieve for Anambra state. So, for him to just wake up one morning and gather people in his house and announce he has joined PDP is totally wrong. He should have done extensive consultation with the people that have shown him love and support for the past twelve years in the state politics. He lost the 2003 governorship election by crook and the people stood by him all the time he fought in the law courts to regain his victory. The people stood behind him throughout his leadership until he handed over to the present governor.
He should have taken time to explain to the people this sudden change and why he thinks it is okay both for him and his followers who now look up to him as mentor and leader. Nobody is against him supporting President Goodluck Jonathan. But what about the legacies he created as APGA leader? I just returned from Anambra and I noticed that some people see him as a sellout.
What now becomes the fate of your party? Do you think his leaving APGA will affect the government of Willie Obiano negatively?
His departure from APGA will not affect Governor Willie Obiano government negatively. Gov. Obiano is his own man who has the capacity and capability to govern Anambra well. For Gov. Obiano to hit the ground running shows the stuff he is made of. He does not need governance lessons from anybody. It is obvious to everybody in Anambra state that Gov. Obiano has focus. APGA as a political party will outlive Peter Obi.
His departure is good for the party because Obi before now was even trying to create division in the party considering his not too good relationship with Chief Victor Umeh, National Chairman of the party. Now that Obi has left, the party will put itself together and move on.
APGA is supporting President Jonathan ambition in 2015. Does it mean your party is not fielding candidate for president come 2015?
From the feelers in my party it is most likely we will not field any presidential candidate. This is why we are campaigning for President Jonathan.
Does that also explain why you are a member of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN)? Your group is wooing support for President Jonathan. You said you just returned from America and Canada where you have mobilized 10,000 ambassadors for your grand finale rally this Saturday in Abuja?
Yes as you know TAN is non-governmental organization serving as umbrella body for Nigerians who have seen the true transformation of Nigeria going on under the leadership of President Jonathan. We have used this body to truly showcase the achievements of President Jonathan in the six geopolitical zones of the country. Nigerians now know that President Jonathan has actually done well in the first four years of his tenure. We are now urging him to run for the second term.
And his party recently endorsed him for the job. So, we are using the grand finale to ask him to waste no further time and accept the ticket. As I told you earlier I returned from America and Canada recently after mobilizing about 10,000 ambassadors for President Jonathan. A delegation from America and Canada will be in Abuja on Saturday to show support. TAN has successfully mobilized support across the country for President Jonathan that his party, PDP, has little or nothing to do anymore to win the election in 2015. The opposition parties especially APC is relegated to the background now. I think it is a waste of resources for them to contest 2015 presidential race. They should just surrender to President Jonathan.

The Sun