Politics
APGA’s Faction Reconciles With Founder
The Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State-led faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), has finally reconciled with the Founding father / National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance, Chief Chekwas Okorie.
The sudden and historic reconciliation took place last Tuesday at the Enugu residence of Chief Okorie, who is now the National Chairman of the United Progressive Party(UPP).
Until the peace meeting, Okorie had severely boasted that he left with the Soul of APGA, a development widely believed to have made it difficult for the party to function well as it had been engulfed by crisis.
In his speech at the occasion, the interim National Chairman, Chief Maxi Okwu, who led the APGA delegation, disclosed that the aim of the visit was to apologize to Chief Okorie over the injustice he suffered that led to his removal as the party’s national chairman.
Chief Okwu, therefore, urged Okorie to forgive and forget as he is a practicing Christian who should teach others to forgive.
Reacting, Okorie who literally shed tears, and full of emotion as his speech lasted, said he was glad that his vindication came while he was still alive.
The UPP boss recalled how he was frustrated out of the party through selfish propaganda, expressing regret that despite the 25 attempts made in the past to settle the crisis in APGA, those who were working against him never gave peace a chance.
His words: “It is on record that twenty five attempts were made to make peace so that APGA will remain, but all of them were rebuffed. We attended all of them but they did not attend one.
I am so happy today that I am alive to see my own vindication; this visit is significant to me in so many ways. If you check both DNA of both the APGA and the UPP, they are the same thing”.
Continuing, the UPP boss further said: “Today, we are debunking the belief that we are incapable of reconciliation. I will say in the spirit of Easter that we shall forgive one another”.
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.
