Some aggrieved aspirants of the All Progressives Grand Allowances (APGA) who fell out with the party after losing their nominations in the forthcoming elections have returned to the party’s fold reportedly on bended knees asking to be accepted back.

Recall that the aspirants had, after the primaries, threatened to pull out of the party, accusing its top hierarchy of conducting shoddy primaries.

The 35 returnees on Tuesday stormed the office of the state chairman of APGA, Chief Nobert Obi, pledging their loyalty to the leadership of the party.

According to them, it would be fool-hardy to abandon the political party they helped to build in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the aspirants, their chairman and secretary, Mr. Nonso Okaka and Mr. Okey Akaneme respectively, said that having followed closely the happenings in the polity, they decided to remain in APGA despite the outcome of the last primaries.

In a letter addressed to the state chairman, the APGA aspirants said although the outcome of the primaries was not entirely appealing to some of them, but as party loyalists, they have decided to accept the outcome and join hands to pursue victory for the candidates of the party because of their belief in party supremacy.

They said: “We have decided to pay this solidarity visit in appreciation of successes recorded in APGA in the state under your watch as the state party chairman. We have followed your experienced and matured leadership style which is worthy of emulation, as displayed in the recent ‘thank -you visit’ by Governor Willie Obiano, to all the 21 Local Government Areas, which had helped to reposition the party towards becoming a frontline political party in Nigeria.

“Evidently, the massive turnout of supporters and the mammoth crowd that was seen in all the 21 LGAs in the state is worthy of commendation and earns our appreciation.

“We welcome the action of the national executive, the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and the state executive in fielding our brothers and sisters as candidates who are capable of winning elections.

“Our visit is, therefore, to reassure you of our loyalty to the party and our commitment towards ensuring victory for APGA candidates at all levels in the February 16 National Assembly elections and March 2 State Assembly elections.

“We also wish to work closely with your office as a bridge to reach out to aggrieved members of the party and co-opt others for a stronger APGA because we know that in every election, there must be winners and there must be losers.”

In his response, the APGA state chairman expressed delight that despite the events that played out during the primaries, they had decided to join hands with the leadership to move the party forward.

Said Chief Obi: “Four years may be long in the eyes of men, but it is short as far as God is concerned. We know the efforts you made to secure the party’s ticket, but God knows everything.”

He prayed that the aspirants would be compensated one way or the other saying that it is not easy for one to part with N1 million nomination fees and end up not being satisfied.

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