The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has described the Igbo people as the most nationalistic group in the country, expressing regret over their lack of connection to national politics.
Ganduje made the statement on Saturday in Awka, the capital of Anambra State, during a one-day visit to the state.
According to the APC National Chairman, there is no political ward in the country where an Igbo person is not present, engaged in one activity or another.
“In every ward, we find an Igbo person. In all 774 local government councils, you will see Igbo communities. This is an outlook of nationalism. But why do you choose to remain in a micro-political enclave? It is no longer possible; you must change the narrative. You are aware of de-marginalization policy of the Southeast political zone. We must connect you to the center. It is a task that must be done. We must connect you to the national grid because, for now, you are politically connected to rural electrification. You are under generators, and this is not acceptable,” he stated.
He, however, commended the leadership of the party in the state, describing it as solid. He assured that the national executive would do everything necessary to ensure justice, equity, and fairness for all, noting that the national leadership had decided that it would no longer be business as usual.
“Our party will be active throughout the year, and I am happy that Anambra APC is very active. We want to be focused, have vision, and be strategic,” he said.
The state chairman of APC, Chief Basil Ejidike, expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government’s approach to appointing individuals for positions without the knowledge of party executives.
According to him, the party faithful are being neglected by the federal government, a development he described as discouraging to members.
He also noted that all palliatives distributed by the federal government to the state through the governor were shared only among members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), with nothing allocated to APC members.
However, the national leadership of APC and co-aspirants in the forthcoming Anambra state governorship election commended Sir Paul Chukwuma for his commitment and contributions to the development of the party in the state.
The National Chairman, Ganduje, commended Sir Chukwuma for donating a befitting secretariat for the party in Awka.
According to him, Sir Chukwuma has made significant contributions to the sustenance of the party in the state.
Also, the national women’s leader of the party, Dr. Mrs. Mary Alile, praised Sir Chukwuma for supporting the national women’s program in Abuja.
She said that women can only support those who recognize and appreciate them, noting that women are core voters in elections.
One of the governorship aspirants, Mr. Chukwuma Umeorji, also commended Sir Paul Chukwuma for his contribution to the party’s development in the state.
“When somebody does something good, you must commend him for donating a house for the party,” he said.
Speaking, Sir Paul Chukwuma said that he is committed to the good of APC’s development in the state. According to him, his agenda is to connect APC to national politics.
“It is my agenda to connect Anambra state to the center. I have been with APC, and I will continue to support APC. We will defeat APGA in the forthcoming election. I plead with you to vote for me in the primary,” he said.
