Alphonsus Nweze
The former national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, has said he joined the Labour Party on the invitation of the Presidential Candidate of the Party, Mr. Peter Obi.
Speaking to members of NIgerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) at Godwin Ezemo Press Centre, Tuesday, Chief Umeh said when he was edged out of APGA by the conspiracy of some people in the party, Obi called him, not only to sympathize with him but also invited him to join the party.
Umeh said after consultation for five days, he joined Labour Party which gave him the Senatorial ticket of the party for Anambra Central Senatorial zone.
He said what motivated him to join Labour Party was that it offered him opportunity to reconcile with Obi who he had fallen apart for about 10 years.
Umeh said he had always championed the Presidency of Igbo extraction, which Obi’s emergence would afford him opportunity to continue with the campaign.
Labour Party, he said, afforded him the opportunity to get Senatorial ticket after APGA denied him the party’s ticket, saying that the offer revived him spiritually and physically.
Umeh said it is not enough to go to senate especially the 10th senate which will determine the direction Nigeria will go but also the ability to have the courage to defend the interest of Ndigbo.
He said in all his political life, he had always engaged in the struggle for the marginalized Igbo people of Nigeria.
Umeh said that for the 15 months he was in the Senate, he attracted about N1.3b constituency projects for his constituents, but stated that representation at the legislature is not to provide projects but represent the interest of one’s people.
Umeh also said, he opposed appointments that did not favour Ndigbo such as the composition of Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC ) board, the National Defence Council (NDC) among many others.
“You need somebody who has courage and passion. When I was in the Senate I took the risk to point out the way forward. I was the champion for equity and fairness in the eight Senate. And that is the reason I should be voted for to represent not only the interest of Anambra Central Senatorial zone but the entire Igbo race.”
On Obi, he opined that he is the best presidential candidate Nigeria has now, stressing that people from all walks of life are rooting for him.
“Everyday Obi’s popularity is soaring. My reconciliation with Obi is divine. Peter’s messages have been driving his candidature. I quarreled with him but not with his management of resources. Obi is the only person who can salvage the country. Nigeria needs somebody who can salvage it. We need somebody who can put the country on reverse gear. Peter is a role model. I urge you to embrace this movement. It is a revolution,” said Chief Umeh.
He lamented that truth is now a scarce commodity in Nigeria because of social media, urging journalists to report the truth at all times.
The former APGA chairman said his quest to return to the upper chamber was not borne out of ambition since he had already become a Senator, but to fulfill a purpose which is to ensure justice, equity and fairness.
He said that his desire to be in the 10th Senate is to champion the restructuring of Nigeria because many Nigerians are of the view that the country need a brand new constitution as the present constitution is Decree 24 of 1998.
