The All Progressives Grand Alliance has responded to the National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, regarding his remarks that Anambra State has stayed politically disconnected from the center by being part of APGA.
The National Publicity Secretary of APGA, Ejimofor Opara, who commented on Ganduje's statement, mentioned that Anambra, despite being a minority party, has performed better than most states claiming affiliation with the center.
Ganduje, while speaking at the South-East APC colloquium in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Friday, stated that Anambra's progress has been hindered because it remains in APGA and has not aligned with the center.
The APC chairman also pointed out that former Anambra governors who ruled under APGA ended up leaving the party after their tenure, indicating that the party had no national significance.
The colloquium was organized by Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, representing Anambra South Senatorial District.
However, Opara responded on Saturday, criticizing Ganduje, and citing his governance in Kano as one of the reasons why the people of Kano chose a governor from the New Nigeria People’s Party.
Opara remarked, “I am amazed by the progress Kano State made under Ganduje’s APC, resulting in the people's rejection of the party in 2023 and opting to vote for the NNPP, willing to defend their votes.
“Ganduje should realize that the South-East, particularly Ndi Anambra, are more concerned about why Kano State, after his leadership, decided in large numbers to disaffiliate from the APC-controlled center.
“The APC is practically non-existent in Anambra, and Ganduje is well aware of this. Furthermore, the continued existence of APGA in Anambra is based on performance.
“Anambra, and indeed the South-East, belongs to APGA. There is no doubt about this, and even if the region decides to interact with the Center, the APC has not proven to be a viable alternative. I sincerely hope that Ganduje will seek to recognize the truth rather than choose deliberate ignorance.”
He further stated, “From Peter Obi to Willie Obiano and now Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra has consistently experienced progressive growth, and for this reason, even a political novice would confidently say that Ganduje was either trying to impress his host or is genuinely ignorant of the facts.
“Under APGA, Anambra has achieved many pioneering feats, and recently, the state under the Soludo administration has received numerous accolades.
“Anambra was recognized as the state with the best utilized ICT, and the Anambra State ICT Agency under Mr Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata was awarded. Anambra has also been acknowledged as the state with the lowest number of out-of-school children.
“If these accomplishments are what it means to be disconnected from the center, then Anambra will willingly remain disconnected.”
Opara also expressed dismay that a political party proposing a colloquium turned it into a political rally and conducted a primary election, declaring the host senator, Ifeanyi Ubah, as the party's candidate in the upcoming election.
