Annie Okonkwo dumps PDP for APGA

The President of Committee 21 C21, Senator Annie Okonkwo, has defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Okonkwo, in a statement by his media aide, Collins Ugwu, last night said he decided to call it quit with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of injustice.

He urged all Igbo to team up with APGA to give the country the right leadership.

Okonkwo said for equity to be achieved, the Southeast must be allowed to lead the country.

He also urged the National Assembly to ensure two additional states are created from the Southeast.

Okonkwo said: "The unrelenting machine of political deceit and injustice in Igbo land have run its full circle and should quietly give way to honest superior efforts to rid our people its ravages and rancour. As I call on all Igbo in Nigeria and the Diasporas to move en masse into the fitting shield of APGA to recover their progressive identity, it is handy wisdom to advise those who are shy of reality, to please leave APGA alone in peace, and pursue their convictions where their heart really lies.”

The C21 President noted that "aside the urgent reality that what is good for the goose, is sizzling sauce for the gander, the persuasion that a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction remains the only untested option for the desired radical leap of our great country is compelling to common sense and good conscience".

He urged Igbo to unite in order to achieve this dream. Okonkwo said other geo-political zones have through unity achieved what has eluded the Southeast.

He said: "Now which of these zones have not had the opportunity of Nigeria's presidency - the Southeast. Which of these zones have less number of states and local governments? Ironically, which of these zones have been more supportive developmentally and politically to others? Of course, the Southeast.

"The Southwest is already enjoying leadership cohesion and prosperity pioneered by Tinubu but actively supported by resident south easterners. The Southsouth are presently harvesting the fruits of their resolute resource agitation and the North, the obvious indulged custodians of power both military and civilian, all supported by us without let. The only sour thumb in this convenient harmony of power and states balance, regrettably points to the Southeast. It is, therefore, my view that the sacrifice we preach and canvass does not, in any way, amount to denial or deprivation to our brothers in the Nigerian project."

He urged Igbo to unite and reject being used as pawns. The C21 president said the group would chart social harmony.

via The Nation