I’ve Not Dumped APGA For YPP, Chuma Says

CHUKA UBAH

Following rumours of defection, respected Chieftain, Chuma, told newsmen that the reports of his resignation trending in the media was not true.

Dr. Chuma-Odili Harris, popularly known as Ogene Igbo, the Convener of  Anambra Pro-democracy Movement APDM, the former Governorship Aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC), who defected to All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, prior to 2017 Anambra Gubernatorial election has dismissed speculations that he has resigned his membership of the APGA and cross carpeted to the Young Progressives Party YPP.

He told newsmen at his country home in Ogbunike on Monday that report of his resignation trending around Oyi Local Government Area and on the social media was not true.

He added that “there is no iota of truth in the report”.The tirade of criticisms and calls for Local Government elections from the Convener of Anambra Pro-democracy Movement in recent years fuelled the speculations that he may have concluded arrangements to leave the APGA.

The anxiety over Chuma’s future with the ruling party in Anambra State was because of his affinity to the wife of the State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, who hailed from the same town Ogbunike, one who welcomed Dr. Chuma to APGA in 2017.

In his reaction to the trending news on social media, Chuma however, said he was not considering leaving the party for Young Progressives Party, YPP, stressing that “I came into the APGA through the front door and will not go through the back door”.

Defending his criticisms on the Obiano’s led Government, the APDM convener said he actually wanted the party to succeed by pointing out issues of great concerns that would destroy the gains of the previous years.Ogene Igbo said that Governor Willie Obiano has performed above average, but needs to pay more attention to the rural areas in order to ensure that the dividends of democracy are evenly distributed across the length and breadth of the state. 

He said, “it is not true that I have resigned and let me emphasise that there is no iota of truth in that report credited to YPP media handlers. I can understand where the speculation is coming from, perhaps because many understood that I wasn’t compensated for my efforts in supporting Chief Willie Obiano’s reelection in 2017. Mischief makers and professional praise singers cum sycophants had on several occasions accused me of criticizing APGA’s led State Government because I was not appointed to serve in the Government. That’s far from the truth. I’m an agent of change, one who cannot watch and keep mute as things go wrong. No, I speak as a societal watchdog, a committed advocate for good governance and productive leadership”.

“However, let me state categorically that while developments in APGA maybe embarrassing and unexciting, I have not dumped the party.”

“I want to put it on record that I came through the front door and if I want to leave, I will leave through the front door. I’m still a member of the APGA and has not joined the YPP.”

The former Governorship aspirant then urged his numerous supporters across the state particularly in Oyi Local Government Area to disregard the purported story as his political direction would not be hidden if the need arises.