Senator Hope Uzodimma, The Imo State governor, has said that the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), cannot be a strong platform for Ndi-Igbo to push for the coveted seat of the number one office in the Land, Nigeria Presidency.
Uzodinma likened APGA, the ruling political party in Anambra state to a tricycle or Keke Napep saying it will never come close to federal power or winning the presidency for the Igbos.
The Governor made this known in page 70 of his new book ‘Reflections On The Igbo Question’
Stating his reasons for ruling out APGA as a major party that can win the presidency, Uzodimma said APGA is generally viewed as a regional party since its founders labelled it as an Igbo party.
He said “In like manner, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA ) will never come close to federal power. Ever since its leadership found delight in tagging it an Igbo party, it has been confined to the back benches as an ethnic party”.
“The bitter truth here is that tribal or tribe-based political parties are divisible and sectional. As a vehicle to political power, it can only be likened to a tricycle or Keke- NAPEP, which can only take you around within short distances, but not without the scourging heat of the sun in dry season and the messy drench of downpours in rainy season”.
“Join a Keke-NAPEP on a long distant journey through a federal highway and you stand the chance of being knocked down, or out, by a luxury bus, a trailer or a whirlwind. On all scores, you lose. So too will those who want to get national leadership using ethnic based political parties”.
On what the Igbos can do to get the presidency, Uzodimma said they must remain in national political parties such as the All Progressives Congress (APC) or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and reach out to other members of the party across the country.
“The thing to do is clear; we must remain in National Political Parties and prove our mettle there, by building bridges and reaching out sincerely to other members of the Nigerian family.”
