A former governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, along with other chieftains who left the Peoples Democratic Party, have been adviced to join the All Progressives Congress by Uche Nwosu, the former chief of staff of former governor Rochas Okorocha.
Nwosu, an APC chief in Imo state assured the former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives that the party will give him a rare opportunity to work with Governor Hope Uzodimma and President Bola Tinubu at the center.
Ihedioha had on April 23 announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, a political platform he associated with since its inception in 1998.
The politician, who described himself as a founding member of the PDP, cited the party’s inability to carry out internal reforms and provide credible opposition as the reasons behind his decision.
According to him, the opposition party has deviated from its core principles.
Ihedioha’s action has provoked several chieftains and high-profile members to dump the Imo PDP droves.
Those who tendered their resignation letters included Imo PDP Chairman, Charles Ugwu; a former Deputy Governor, Gerald Irona, and one-time Education Commissioner, Prof Jude Njoku among others.
Addressing journalists on Friday in Abuja, Nwosu appealed to Ihedioha and other former PDP chieftains to join the APC and work with Uzodimma for the development and growth of the state.
He said, “l know that since they left, a lot of people including my humble self, have been wondering what could be or what is likely to be their next political action or move and there have been a lot of speculations to that effect.
“I have also considered a lot of factors or indices and have seen that the most popular action for them to take in this situation is to join the ruling party, APC.
“This is the most progressive action for them to take. Joining APC is the only people-orientated action they should take now. And that would give them room to work with President Bola Tinubu, Governor Hope Uzodimma, and other leaders in the party at both the national and state levels, for the progress of our dear country.
“I also know that the moment they decide to join the APC, they would be most welcome and everybody would work as a team to move the state forward and by extension, the South East and the entire nation.”
While commending Ihedioha and others for having the courage to quit, Nwosu described their departure as a big loss to the PDP.
The former chief of staff also prayed that God would guide and give them the wisdom to see the reasons to toe his line of thought.
“There is no better option or alternative for them as a matter of fact than to move into the APC immediately and be on the same political lane with the President, the governor, and other stakeholders in the APC,” he quipped.