Members Move to Back Agbaso as APGA National Chairman Amby Uneze in Owerri


As crisis rocks the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) owing to the leadership problems created by the suspended National Chairman of the party, Mr. Victor Oye, leaders of the party across the country seemed to have found a better replacement.

THISDAY gathered that the leaders might have settled for a one-time governorship candidate of the party in Imo State, Chief Martin Agbaso.

Feelers from the party revealed that delegates from the 774 local government areas of the country stormed the country home of Agbaso at his Emekuku Ranch Resort, in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State at the weekend where they appealed to him to take the national chairmanship position of the party which is begging for a leader with national clout.

At the meeting, THISDAY learnt that various speakers extolled the leadership qualities of Agbaso over the years, as well as his numerous contributions which has kept the flag of the party flying in the South-east.
They added that it was Agbaso who single-handedly secured victory for the party in 2011 governorship election in the state by delivering the incumbent governor of the state, Chief Rochas Okorocha.

According to a source, Agbaso was believed to have also won the governorship election under APGA in 2007 before his victory was allegedly stolen, which led to a prolonged legal battled which he eventually lost at the Supreme Court.

Speaking with THISDAY after the meeting, APGA acting Deputy Chairman, Chief Jerry Obasi, said they were at Agbaso’s residence to lure him to redeem the image of the party which has been battered due to the problems created by the Victor Oye-led leadership.

Obasi, who described Agbaso as the only leader that has the national clout to move the party forward, said  he also has the capacity to ensure that the party wins elections in more states both in the South-east and in other parts of the country.

“With Agbaso, APGA is sure of retaining Anambra State. He is the only person that other parties are afraid to meet because of his reach and political assimilation which cuts across party discipline,” he said.

The acting deputy chairman maintained that there was no way one state could produce all the key national positions of the party and still be called a national party, adding: “We are now ready to give the leadership of the party to a more nationalistic personality who has the interest of members and the country at heart.”
While it was difficult to reach Agbaso for comment, his aides told THISDAY that he was in a prolonged closed-door meeting with elders and leaders of the party.
However, his Special Assistant on Political Affairs, Mr. Lambart Iweke, said Agbaso would issue a statement on the issue in a few days.

 He urged all APGA members nationwide to remain clam as effort to redeem the image of the party was being vigorously pursued to the overall interest of all, stating that the target is to ensure that APGA retains Anambra State and wins other states in the South-east and beyond.