Umeh, Okwu APGA factions set to clash over office

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

Members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) factions loyal to Victor Umeh and Maxi Okwu, would clash next week over who is the rightful occupant of the party’s headquarters on Libreville Street, Wuse II, in Abuja.

Briefing journalists yesterday, one of the contending chairmen, Okwu, said members of the party loyal to him have decided to apply force in pursuit of their rights, pointing out that the court has declared that he is the authentic chairman of the party.

He also disclosed that he has written to Umeh’s faction to notify them of their intention to occupy the party’s headquarters next week, since every approach to peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two factions appears not to be working out.

Okwu further pointed out that even if the Umeh group would resist their occupation of the headquarters, they already have a plan B, though he failed to disclose what the Plan B would be when they are resisted.

However, he pleaded with Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state, whose tenure would wind up next week, to mediate and settle the crisis in the party once and for all, before leaving office.

He said though Obi achieved a lot as governor of Anambra state, if he hands ver power leaving behind a crisis ridden party, he would have therefore failed as a party leader.

He lamented that no party thrives in crisis, adding that his group was ready to make concessions provided there is no pre conditions attached to any round table discussions aimed at resolving the crisis in the party.

The APGA boss further lamented the decision of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, who yesterday, withdrew the APGA delegates to the national conference on the ground that the party has internal crisis.

He said the party would not go back on its delegate list, saying it has already prepared the position of the party which would be presented by National Secretary of the party.

Meanwhile, he dispelled the rumour that the court judgement which earlier sacked Chief Victor Umeh as APGA chairman, has been countered by another judgement by an appellet court, insisting that he remains the authentic chairman of the party.