APGA Debunks Leadership Crisis In Abia

The Abia State Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (ANPP), Mr Emeka Nwachukwu, has denied alleged leadership crisis in the state chapter leading to the emergence of two factions.

Nwachukwu told our correspondent in Umuahia that there were no factions of the party in the state and that the leadership was not in doubt.

He said that the party could have its problems at the national level, but that the leadership of the party, which, he said, he had maintained and funded for six years was incontestable at the moment.

He, however, said that the achievements of the party in luring Gov Theodore Orji of the state to its fold was greater than any personal interests, adding that as the leader of the party in the state, “Orji will take his time to restructure it to suit his purpose”.

Nwachukwu, who said that Orji did not meet a factionalised APGA, added: “In restructuring the party, I will have no problem if my position as the chairman is sacrificed in the interest of the state”.

He said that those who were trying to lay claim of the party leadership were no where when the negotiation and consultations to lure the governor started and ended, adding that APGA would not tolerate any move that would work against returning the governor in 2011.

“Though APGA is experiencing an upsurge in membership, we are unmindful of the fact that certain elements are coming to thwart the vision of the party and create a problem for us, but we are ready to checkmate such people,” he said.

Nwachukwu, who was immediate past commissioner for sports, said that as a chieftain of the party he would guide and direct the governor “so that nobody scuttles his ambition’’.

“The vibrancy of APGA is determined by certain elements which form part of the ideals of the party and faction or no faction we accept the bold step the governor took to align with progressives,” Nwachukwu said.

He said that APGA was a grassroots party and by the time the blueprint on how to approach the 2011 general elections were released the civic responsibilities of Abia electorate would be awakened.