Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and the Governor-elect Charles Soludo would not join the All Progressives Congress (APC), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has said.
The reaction came against the backdrop of lingering rumours that the Obiano and Soludo would defect to APC as a precondition to ensuring free and fair election in the state.
However, APGA Media Warriors Forum through its national coordinator, Chinedu Obigwe, said that the rumours were unfounded and false.
He said, “It’s important to say it boldly that the battle Governor Obiano fought on November 6 was a battle for the survival of APGA as the only Igbo party in Nigeria. He fought that battle with all his heart and God gave him victory.
“There was never a time Governor Obiano promised anybody that if Soludo wins the election, both of them will join APC.
“Governor Obiano nurtured a good relationship with the President Buhari administration for the betterment of Ndi Anambra. The President respects the fact that Obiano is the leader of APGA and accords him that respect.
“President Buhari did not lobby him to join APC because he knows very well that Governor Obiano will not accept to abandon APGA, a party that has Igbo interest at heart and defect to APC.”
“The only thing Governor Obiano did that worked in favour of APGA in the November 6 governorship election is that he extracted a free and fair election commitment from President Buhari.
“The President promised him that the election would be free and fair without interference from the Presidency.
President Buhari fulfilled the promise and the resultant effect is that the November 6th governorship election is now being applauded by Nigerians and international communities as the most free and fair election conducted by INEC in recent times.”
“It’s childish propaganda for anybody to say that Governor Obiano promised to join APC with Soludo.”
