Following reports making the rounds that the Abia state governor Okezie Ikpeazu and Senator T. Orji were making making moves to defect to the rulling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), the Chairman of the party in Abia State, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, has expressed his party’s willingness to accept the duo and other intending new members into its fold, stressing that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all aspirants ahead of its primary election.
Gov. Ikpeazu
According to Nwankpa, the increasing acceptability of the party in the South East and other regions is an assurance of the people’s overwhelming support for the APC.
While speaking with officials and stakeholders of the party in the State capital, Umuahia at the weekend, the APC chairman acknowledged the loyalty of party members, adding that the APC will not derail from its ideals.
He said, “we gathered that Abia State Governor, Hon. Okezie Ikpeazu and his predecessor, Sen. T. A Orji are contemplating on defecting to the APC.
“The APC is an open and transparent party. We believe in the tenets of democracy.
“The gate of the party is open to all and sundry.
“If they eventually decide to join the APC, we will welcome them into our fold.
“However, they should be ready to uphold and abide by party rules.
” All aspirants for various positions will go through primary election and there will be a level playing ground.
“There will be no imposition of candidates for the forthcoming elections”
While maintaining that the popularity of the APC across the country will earn the party victory in the 2019 general election, Nwankpa charged party members to embrace prospective members, adding that the APC will not leave any stone un-turned in its quest to wrest power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led Abia State government.
In his remarks, Chairman of Abia APC Caucus, Sen. Chris Adighije, re-affirmed the party’s commitment to internal democracy, pointing out that all the aspirants regardless of social, economic and political status will be subjected to primary election.
He said, “the APC remains the leading party in Nigeria.
“As we know, the federal government has in the past 3 years executed more projects in the South East than any previous government.
“The entire South East will be reconnected with the centre and Abia State will not be left out in this noble cause, come 2019.
“We will continue to welcome new members into our great party, APC, as long as they are ready to adhere to the constitution of the party.
“All our party candidates for the 2019 general election will emerge through a credible primary election and as such there will be no consensus candidate for any position”
The duo of Nwankpa and Adighije commended the leader of the party in the state and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, who they described as an Iroko and other stakeholders for their  unrelenting efforts in building the party
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