The Aspirants of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who felt short-changed in primaries of the party have demanded the refund of the monies they spent on nomination and Expression of interest forms.

The aggrieved aspirants shunned a reconciliation meeting convened by the leadership of the party at the state Secretariat of the party in Awka on Thursday insisting that refund of their money is the only condition to partaking in any meeting.

The meeting came on the heels of a letter from the national leadership of the party to the state chairman, Chief Norbert Obi.

Recall that the party’s primaries which wife of late Biafran leader took part in generated a lot of bad blood following accusations of disqualification, extortion, and issuance of the party tickets to anointed persons.

The bad blood had led to the formation of new APGA which is more celebrated in neighbouring Imo State.

The invitation to the parley read in part: “All APGA aspirants in the recently concluded primaries, party wards and local government executives are invited to meet with the committee as part of the party’s reconciliation efforts.”

The meeting, which was scheduled for 3pm, was shunned by both the aggrieved aspirants and the reconciliation committee.

Speaking to some journalists on condition of anonymity, one of the aggrieved aspirants queried the essence if the reconciliation.

His words: “Which reconciliation are you talking about? After extorting monies from us, they now say they want reconciliation; how possible is that?

“We’ve decided that if they are serious about any reconciliation, let them start by refunding us our monies; then we will know they are serious.

“Governor Willie Obiano has killed APGA. We will demonstrate our anger against them in next year’s election. Just watch and see what will happen, this is the beginning of the end of APGA.”

It was gathered that the Chairman of the Committee is the vice presidential candidate of the party in the 2019 general elections, Chief Jerry Chukwueke.

Other members of the committee include BOT member, Dr. Mrs Ifenyinwa Obegolu, Chief Uzoma Obinyo, Chief Elias Adokwe and Mr. Uche Nwegbo.

The chairman of the party in the state, Norbert Obi, simply said: “There is nothing to say. We didn’t see anybody here for the reconciliation. I’m going to my house.”

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