Ikechukwu Apugo has dumped the All Progressives Congress APC for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing marginalization of Igbos as his major reason.
Addressing his supporters from Ikwuano, Umuahia North and South on Wednesday at his residence, Apugo who also declared his intention to run for the seat of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, described the APC as anti-Igbo, saying he has worked for the success of the party in the South-East but the party has not impacted on Igbos.
”The APC has not given Igbos hope since coming on board in 2015. I have worked tirelessly for the party in the South-East but there is no commensurate reward for people who have stood tall for the party in the South-East even in the face of criticisms from people of the zone.”
According to him, Igbos were discriminated against during the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, emphasising that instead of bridging the marginalization, it has widened under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.
”Even amid years of marginalization, I kept pushing, believing that one day, the party will take issues concerning Igbos to the front burner with a view to addressing the anomaly, but there has not been any efforts.”
Apugo said it is same marginalization that has made a whole region like South-East not to have a Seaport to make business transactions easy for the hardworking Igbo people.
He stated that the Seaport located in Onne, Rivers State is grossly inadequate, stressing that it is not a beehive of activity when compared to the Lagos Seaport.
”It also shocks me to the marrow that a region like South-East doesn’t have a Seaport whereas all of us know that the hardworking Igbo people are business tycoons. You can imagine the stress they pass through traveling all the way to Lagos to clear their business consignments and pay humongous amount whereas, Seaport can be sited in Onitsha to serve the people of South-East.”
Apugo said the marginalization is further made more evident in the composition of the leadership of the APC, wondering how many Igbos are holding portfolios in the National Working Committee of the APC.
He revealed that his quest to be more relevant to his constituents and better their lots, informed his decision to ditch the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Apugo added that ADC in the interim, looks like a party that has huge plans for Ndigbo, emphasising that it is this premise that made him align with the party to provide the dividends of democracy for the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency.
In their separate responses, the Chairmen of the African Democratic Congress in Umuahia South, Ikwuano and Umuahia North, Chief Ogbonna Kingsley, Chibuike Emmanuel and Emma Emenike, welcomed Ikechukwu Apugo for taking the bold step, pledging their support to his ambition.
Other respondents including: Victor Nwazue, Glory Lawrence, and a representative of the youth population, commended Ikechukwu Apugo for decamping to the ADC and also declaring to run for the seat of Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, assuring him of massive support.
They said their support is borne out of the marginalization of Ndigbo at the centre, emphasising that they have not felt federal government presence from their representative, saying that they want quality life for their children, employment opportunities among other dividends of democracy. The speakers expressed optimism that Ikechukwu Apugo is a square peg in a round hole.
Correspondent reports that high point of the event was the pouring of libation supporting Apugo’s ambition by title Chiefs from Ikwuano, Umuahia North and South.
