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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Rochas Okorocha, has declared that the emergent mega opposition party would wrestle power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the next political dispensation starting from 2015.
The Imo State Governor made the declaration when he played host to the leaders of the merging political parties from Enugu and Ebonyi in the Government House, Owerri.
He described APC as a child of circumstance following the desire of Nigerians to reap the dividends of democracy.
“APC is a product of yearning for a change that will bring about true democracy in the country. It is a fact that PDP has failed the people of the South-East and Nigerians and that largely informed this mission of providing a credible platform that will form an alternative and acceptable government to the PDP,” Owelle Okorocha said.
He explained that APC is neither an alliance nor a coalition, rather a merger that is born out of genuine concern of progressive Nigerians who are committed to take the country to the next level.
Gov. Okorocha declared that PDP has failed the country and continued to deny Igbos their right place in the scheme of things, describing as a clear case of marginalisation where an Igboman is not occupying any of the principal positions as President, Vice President, Senate
President, Speaker, House of Representative and the Chairman of the ruling party.
He therefore advised the people to be courageous, focused and resolute, assuring that APC would be registered despite plot by some PDP forces to thwart the registration.
Speaking earlier, the leader of the Enugu delegation, General Joseph Okoloagu rtd., said they were in the state to show solidarity to the governor for his landmark achievements in infrastructural development and free education, amongst others.
“We, the political leaders from the opposition parties from Enugu State are looking forward to your encouragement and support; we have come to identify with you and solicit for your support to build APC in Enugu State,” Okoloagu said.
He described the governor as an epitome of good governance and true leadership whose capacity to lead the Igbos is clearly not in doubt.
On his part, the Ebony delegation leader, Chief Ben Nwaobasi, said that his team was in Imo state to pay a solidarity visit to Gov. Okorocha for his exemplary leadership and to solicit his support for the success of APC in Ebonyi State.
The two delegations urged the governor to contest for the presidency of the nation come 2015 to fill the political vacuum in the South-East and Nigeria.
•Photo shows Governor Okorocha.