Two enemy party may merger to win the coming November guber election in Anambra state.

Mr Osita Okechukwu, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) has once again reminded the leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of the imperatives of striking a merger with APC, in the Zikist Model strategy, to win the Nov. 6, governorship poll.

Okechukwu, who is also the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) told journalists in Abuja that APGA leaders should know that it is far better to be late than to be the late, insisting that APGA was on the way to losing its first governorship contest in Anambra after 16 years.

“It is for this reason that I wish to appeal once more to APGA leaders to explore a Zikist Model merger with APC for a guaranteed seamless victory in the Nov. 6 polls.

“In saying this, I know for sure that APC can win without APGA, but would enjoy seamless victory with a Zikist Model merger,” he stated.

Okechukwu had recently urged APGA leader to key into an all-important merger, so as to kill two birds with one stone by joining the mainstream and paving way for the emergence of Nigeria President of Igbo extraction.

On speculations that APC was plotting a forceful takeover of Anambra through the institution of state of emergency, Okechukwu explained that a merger of the two parties would not only cool the political temperature, but will also moderate the environment and end up as a political masterstroke.

He recalled the history of political understanding between President Muhammadu Buhari and the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, stressing that it was in that spirit that Buhari assured Gov. Willie Obiano recently last week, that there was no cause for alarm as declaration of state of emergency was not on the cards.

“Whereas, I have my sympathy for the families of victims of banditry in Anambra and by extension Nigeria in general; however it is my considered opinion that we should repeat the cordial relationship between with Ikemba, Odumegwu Ojukwu and Buhari, when he led APGA to a political understanding with the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) led by Buhari. We can repeat this Zikist feat again, for it is better to be late than the late.”

He further recalled a similar political camaraderie in 2013, when a faction of APGA joined the merger of APC, adding that Buhari more or less saved Obiano from opponents of his re-election bid in 2017.

“So, as I said two months ago, the suggestion flows from the prism of pragmatic Zikist political model, which joins us with APGA. Pragmatism is the best strategy for Ndigbo to kill two birds with one stone, because if APGA fuses into APC, that will give APC three states in the South East geopolitical zone – a milestone.”

Okechukwu insisted that APGA was missing the point by seeking to remain as a big fish in a small pond of regional politics that has only earned it just one state in the entire federation.

“A merger will not only more than any other factor guarantee Ndigbo the presidential ticket of the APC; but it will safe APGA from likelihood of withering away, without tangible dividends of democracy for its followership. Anybody who watched Obiano in the State House, Aso Rock, closely will notice palpable panic.

“APC and APGA merger will stop this panic as a Win-Win Scenario,” Okechukwu reiterated

MOVEMENT

Earlier, a member of the Board of Trustee of the APGA, Sunday Umeoduagu, declared support for the APC.

He made his decision public, in Lagos, on Sunday and was received by the Anambra State APC governorship candidate, Senator Andy Uba, at the former’s residence at Pinnock Beach Estate.

The erstwhile APGA chieftain, who is brother to member representing Aguata 1 constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Cater Umeoduagu, said he joined APC to swell the electoral fortunes of its governorship candidate, Uba.

He expressed gratitude to the APC candidate and members of his entourage for travelling to Lagos to receive him.

Umeoduagu said, “Senator Andy Uba’s humility and peaceful disposition is what we need in Anambra at this time to restore peace to the state. We have lost so many lives and property to insecurity. Andy is the man with the key to solving this problem and that’s the reason I support him.”

In response, Uba said the APC was glad to receive him into its fold noting that the task of rebuilding Anambra State will require the support of all progressive minded people like Umeoduagu.

Meanwhile, the All-Progressives Grand Alliance has rejected calls by the All-Progressives Congress for a coalition ahead of the Anambra State Governorship election slated for November 6.

The National Coordinator of APGA National Media Warriors, Chinedu Obigwe said this in Awka, on Monday.

Obigwe said, “APGA will not go into any merger with APC to win the November 6th governorship election because Anambra belongs to APGA.

“APC is not in existence in Anambra and that is why it is buying over people that will help it form the structure of the party in the state.

“Since Okechukwu loves APC so much, he should first of all work for Enugu, his home state, to become an APC state.”

[NAN/VANGUARD/PUNCH]