National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the party’s Anambra Central senatorial candidate, Chief Victor Umeh, has given reasons for APGA’s strong support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

Responding to questions from journalists recently at his country home in Aguluzigbo, Umeh said that APGA is backing Jonathan because he will ensure the implementation of the National Conference report, which would better the lot of Ndigbo.

Umeh stressed that he is in the race to fight for the right of Ndigbo. He condemned desperation by some candidates, which has served to overheat the polity, saying that politics should be played without bitterness.

The APGA National Chairman used the opportunity to commend the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for postponing the 2015 elections to enable it prepare adequately for the polls.

In his words, “Within the provisions of the law, the postponement is valid. The issues of security and others cited as the reasons for the shift were beyond INEC and it therefore had no other option than to heed the general opinion. Also, the issue of non-collection of the permanent voter cards by many eligible voters is a cogent reason, especially given the fact that millions of Nigerians were yet to collect their cards.”

According to Umeh, “It was better to get it right before conducting it, than cancel it after due to poor preparations. The cancellation will definitely us the candidates because we have put in so much and was already set to go to the polls. For the past six months, many of us have been campaigning vigorously. We have put in so much and it was indeed a big surprise to us when it was postponed. But if the shift will lead to the strengthening of our democracy and ensuring a credible election, I am prepared to make further sacrifices.”

•File photo shows Umeh fielding questions from newsmen.

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