•Uzodimma charges South East to take political destiny into their hands
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, said President Bola Tinubu has approved the blueprint for the emancipation and take over of the South East geopolitical zone.
He made the revelation, while hosting a delegation of the APC Anambra State stakeholders at the party’s headquarters in Abuja yesterday.
The former governor of Kano State said the blueprint would ensure the integration of the zone into the mainstream politics in the country.
“I am so delighted and very happy. Today is like a Sallah day for me and Christmas Day for the Christians. It is like the day of swearing-in for a victorious politician. Today is just like that for me because I never thought I will see the calibre of politicians from, not only Anambra State, but also the South East zone in the name of APC.
“Let me announce to you that President Tinubu has approved the blueprint for the political liberation, emancipation and de-marginalisation of the South East.
“The blueprint will make your voice to be heard, to be louder and wider on the APC platform, so that you will be able to negotiate for the political leadership of the country. You could not achieve that because there was no unity among you.
“We need you to be united for the delivery of the party in Anambra State. The liberation has started in Imo and will continue in Anambra in 2025. We need you to be united, and we need a change, and revolution of South East. We thank you for this cooperation,” he stated.
Earlier, Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, who came along with three of his counterparts from Kwara, Yobe and Nasarawa states, urged the South East APC stakeholders to take the destiny of the zone in their hands.
He expressed surprise that the South East should be achievers in other fields of human endeavours, only to be found wanting in politics.
The chairman of the APC Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) also wondered why the South East, which ordinarily should be the citadel of Nigerian politics was being left behind of late.
“I am very delighted to acknowledge the moves and new spirit in Anambra State as it concerns our party. It has become very incremental of late. I want to urge our supporters and leaders in Anambra State to learn from the history of the events of the past, and be guided by two items.
“The first is the unity of purpose, be in position to tolerate each other because anybody bitten by snake is always afraid of the head of a lizard. We should be able to learn from our past. Anambra is a strategic and critical state in the country, and has produced important men and women that have created history for this country.
“I have never seen in any tradition, where the man who is always first should be counted last. We need to rise and take our destiny in our hands. I urge all of you brothers and sisters to forget the past, forgive yourselves, unite and represent our people for the interest of the country.
“There is nothing God cannot do, and if that is the case, I urge you to go home and recover our people. I don’t want our zone to go extinct in the national politics. The South East, which ordinarily should be the citadel of Nigerian politics, is being left behind of late. We should be able to advise and set targets for ourselves, and drive our target to fruition.
“I am encouraged by the number of men and women I saw here. There is nobody remaining. We need to show commitment, tolerance, reconciliation, love and to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers,” he said.
In attendance were all the major stakeholders in the APC Anambra State, comprising the state chairman, Basil Ejidike, Andy Uba, Ifeanyi Ubah, Nkem Okeke, Uche Ekwunife, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, Joy Emordi, and Chidozie Nwankwo among many others.