Founding National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Chekwas Okorie, has made his historic return to the party, after eight years of political sojourn in the defunct United Progressives Party (UPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Igbo leader, who announced his resignation from the APC, was triumphantly received by the factional leadership of APGA at a ceremony in Enugu
Okorie was foundation national chairman of APGA, and held the office from 2002 to 2014, when he was removed in a controversial manner, and replaced by Victor Umeh.
His reception was however taking place same day another faction of the party, led by Victor Oye was holding its presidential primary in Abuja
Okorie, who said he had officially resigned as a member of the APC and registered as an APGA member in his ward, stated that his decision came following days of consultations after the APGA NWC led by Chief Edozie Njoku visited him and apologized for the injustice meted on him.
Speaking at the event, Okorie said APGA had remained the only truly progressive party in Nigeria, stressing that “Nigeria has come to a point where the social contract of political parties with the people need to be interrogated.”
Recalling his experiences in APGA, Okorie said, “We struggled for eight years to save the soul of the party but the INEC did a lot of summersaults on APGA matters.
“When we left to form the United Progressives Party, UPP, it was with a heavy heart, that was in 2012 but we had no choice.
“In 2020, we decided to try our hand with the ruling party, APC, though it was a difficult decision.
“At the end of the day, we were not comfortable in APC, there was pressure from everywhere that we should return to APGA. I said to myself that we cannot return from the backyard.
“When the Supreme Court affirmed Chief Edozie Njoju as the authentic chairman of APGA, his first point of call was here, and the appeal was strong.
“The apology was accepted and I have consulted, and my associates said it’s a good step to take.”
He declared that, “I Chief Chekwas Okorie, with all my associates, we have today formally returned to APGA under the leadership of Chief Edozie Njoku.
“I will join him in preaching unity and healing of wounds. We will take steps to facilitate this peace, we will take steps to meet Anambra Governor, he needs us and we need him. If PDP and APC overrun him in 2023, he will be in trouble.
Earlier, Njoku expressed his joy to have led the delegation to welcome Okorie back to the APGA fold.
He added that, “There are many other people ripped off in Imo State, we have to go looking for them. I’m so happy we have brought him back to the direction of his vision. The work we have at hand is enormous.
“He has told me he is battle ready. I congratulate Chief Chekwas Okorie, he has shown that he is a man and believes in Igbo interest.”
