We Are Not Taking Kalu For Granted – APGA Chairman

Mr Emeka Nwachukwu, Abia Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has said that the party is not unmindful of the fact that the chairman, PPA Board of trustees, Chief Orji Kalu can cause an upset in 2011 elections. 

Nwachukwu told newsmen in Umuahia that though the former Abia governor had a pedigree and a big factor in the politics of the state, APGA would be restructured in order to checkmate him.

“We are not losing sight over Chief Orji Uzor Kalu because he is strong, but we are going to put up some measures to checkmate him.

“We are going to sensitise our people and make them understand that APGA is indigenous to them and was founded on the ideals and political doggedness of Nnamdi Azikiwe and Michael Okpara all of blessed memory.

“This consciousness already lives with our people and what we only need to do is to re-awaken it through a mass rally”, he said.

Nwachukwu said that what APGA was only asking for was a level playing ground with other political parties, adding “we are not interested in hijacking or stuffing the ballot boxes with ballot papers to favour our party”.

He said that APGA shared the views of President Goodluck Jonathan and other Nigerians that vote must count and urged the electorate in Abia to make them  defend their vote.

“We are aware of the antecedents of other political parties that have the penchant for electoral malpractice, but we urge residents of the state to remain focused and defend their mandate”, Nwachukwu said.

He said that the party would carry out a massive voter education to enlighten and re-orientate the electorate.

“We have implicit confidence on the Independent National Electoral Commission as an unbiased impire and with the appointment of a new chairman, the commission has already taken a laudable step to assuage the aspiration of Nigerians”, he said.

Nwachukwu said that APGA was not just a party, but a movement that was built on democratic and humanitarian principles, equity and moral judgment, adding “this is the party for the moment”.