Former Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Azubuike
Ihejirika on Tuesday formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ihejirika, who was the Chief of Army Staff between 2010 –
2014 under former President Goodluck Jonathan, made his declaration to join the
APC at Isuikwuato country home in Abia-North Senatorial District.
His joining the party has ended speculation that he wants to
join the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and has as well, heightened the
speculation that he might be running for the governorship seat in the state in
2023 as it is expected that power would be moving to the Abia North if the Abia
Charter of Equity is anything to go by.
Information has it that the former COAS made his declaration
and subsequently registered at Ezere ward 2; his registration was conducted by
the APC ward Chairman Mr. Iheanyi Chukwu in the presence of stalwarts of the
party which include: Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, State Secretary of the party,
Barr. Perfect Okorie; Deputy State Women leader of the party, Lady Franca Osuwa;
Chairman Abia APC Registration panel, Amb. Bala Mohammed Mairiga; Chief Ameobi
Ogah; Dr. Lilian Obenwa; Abia-North APC Zonal Chairman, Chief Chris Ajah;
Member Abia House of Assembly representing Isuikwuato constituency Hon Barr.
Emeka Okorofor, party faithful, and others.
In his remarks, Senator Kalu applauded the decision of the
former COAS to join the party, Kalu emphasised that Ihejirika’s decision is a
result of the internal democracy in APC.
In his words “Gen Ihejirika’s decision to join us today in
the APC is no doubt a great one and I must commend him for taking the bold step
after over a year of convincing him to join the party.
“He should be assured that his membership of our party will
be a very fruitful one. I am loyal to the party this is why I have always
subjected myself to the party’s decision-making process.
“My appreciation also goes to the chairman Abia APC
Registration panel, Amb. Bala Mohammed Mairiga and his team for joining me to
be grace this exercise.
“The chairman can see for himself that the APC in Abia is
deeply rooted, in the last few days he accompanied me to some decamping
ceremonies of people from other parties into our party. On behalf of our
national chairman Gov. Buni I welcome you to our great party.”
Disclosing his reasons for joining the party, General
Ihejirika said that he’s coming into politics by joining the APC is to
contribute to the progress of the party at the state and national level.
The former COAS said further that having served in the Army
for almost 38 years he has gathered sufficient experience to contribute to the
democracy of the nation and the fortunes of the party.
In his words “I am delighted by the presence of the leader
of the party in our state, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu to honour this event.
“Having served almost 38 years in the military, I am
convinced that it will be a waste of experience for me to remain outside
government activities.
“This is because I have a lot to offer and assure you all
that I will operate an open-door policy, I will also learn fast.
“My first goal is to unite the party, unity is very
important because if we are united we can achieve all our goals for the state
and the nation at large.”
In a telephone interview, the State Chairman of the Party,
Hon. Donatus Nwankpa who said that he was on official assignment outside the
state said that Ihejirika’s entrance into the party is a great addition.
Nwankpa added that the coming of Ihejirika and other bigwigs
is a product of years of hard work by the leadership of the party and other
leaders such as Orji Kalu, Nyerere Anyim and among other leaders.
He restated his earlier statement that “the incumbent PDP
administration will be the last PDP-led government in Abia before 2023.
Azubuike Ihejirika, CFR (born February 13, 1956) is a
retired Nigerian Army lieutenant general and former Chief of Army Staff.
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I am amazed with the rate of defection to the ruling party. Everyone is after national cake. Let us ensure competition, fraction that are ingredient in politics.
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