The call by Mr Joe Igbokwe, a staunch supporter of President Bola Tinubu and member of the ruling All Progressives Congress, for all South-East people to join the APC has attracted diverse reactions.
Mr Igbokwe had stated via his Facebook page that “if the South East can listen to me, if the SE can play the real politics, if the SE can take hard decisions, if the SE can join the committee of civilised states in Nigeria, if the SE can take the bull by the horns, it is time to move Enugu, Abia, and Anambra states to the APC.”
Barr Ken Nnamani, an Enugu-based lawyer, told THE WHISTLER that such a call was against the fundamental rights of freedom of association as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria.
He said, “It is wrong to force the entire South East to APC because of personal interests. APC can sell itself to the people of the region through good governance. But from the look of things, efforts are on to make this country a one-party state.
“It will not be in the best interest of democracy because a healthy opposition is the beauty of democracy.
“Joe Igbokwe got it wrong. Ndigbo should rather belong to a party that suits their ideology. APC is out of it.”
Larry Oguego, Coordinator, Human Rights Volunteer Corps, stated that APC is a difficult party to sell in the Southeast.
According to him, “APC is desperate towards making inroads in the South East. It is a party associated with imposing hardships on Nigerians.
“I’m surprised the APC hierarchy wants to capture the South East. They adopt everything, including cajoling governors to defect to the APC.
“If APC wants South East, let them fix Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway; let them finish the construction of Enugu-Onitsha that has lingered for over eight years.
“We have the right to benefit from the federal government like other parts of the country.
“The truth is that joining the party in the centre doesn’t translate to good governance. Ndigbo shouldn’t put their eggs in one basket. We should be strategic.
“I advocate a strong opposition, rather. Let the masses avoid apathy in politics because we won’t change the system from our rooms.
“We must vote and ensure that our votes count. The APC foundation is already cracking. The popular masses need to step up.”
Reacting also, Dr Chukwuma Okoli, a political economist, said it would be suicidal for the people of the South East to be forced into a one-party system.
“In his view, the focus should be on electing people who have the capacity to deliver good governance.
In his words, “It is not in the interest of the Igbo to make the region a one-party state. Let’s focus on electing credible people into political positions.
“Former Premier of Eastern Region, Dr MI Okpara, was not in the central government, and he did well. Abubakar Rimi was the same case. We don’t want people who will intimidate us with their parties.”
THE WHISTLER reports that APC is the ruling party in Ebonyi and Imo states; the Labour Party in Abia State; and the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra State, while the Peoples Democratic Party holds sway in Enugu State.
