Nze Modestus Umenzekwe is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State. In this interview with Nwanosike Onu, he says the APC will defeat the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) during the election because it has failed the state. He also speaks on the Buhari administration and other national issues.
How do you assess the APC government, led by President Mohamaddu Buhari?
First of all, I want to congratulate the APC which turned out to be a great opposition that ousted the PDP where Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu proved that he is a political guru, a political giant and the man to reckon with at all times. This is a man that started with only Lagos State and made sure that the entire Southwest was captured and now Nigeria. This has made it possible for everybody to be running to the APC today. And of course, his colleagues and supporters too numerous to mention can attest to that. Our big brother Senator Chris Ngige is involved, the Minister of works, housing and Power, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Bisi Akande, Lai Mohammed are to be commended.
Talking about the APC and President Mohammadu Buhari’s government, everybody is very comfortable, despite the economic meltdown that was not caused by the present regime. Besides, the APC government has been doing everything possible to right the wrongs of the past regime and in getting it right for Nigeria. Therefore, the present administration needs to be eulogised.
The governorship election will hold in Anambra State in November. How prepared is the APC in the state?
The APC is more prepared more than any other party, and from what we are seeing today in the state, the APC will win the election in Anambra.
From the array of eggheads that are vying for the ticket of the party, the APGA has no hiding place during the election. But, I want to warn as a staunch member of the APC, people should be careful in not destroying the party because the upsurge of people coming into it should be a worry to the members.
It is not good the way people jump from one party to another and in the last six months, some people had changed to about three political parties. why has APC turned to a beautiful bride suddenly, after calling the party all sorts of names during the last general election?
Anambra has been in opposition for the past few years and we cannot continue like that and with our president, who is a man of integrity, Nigeria will soon become the cynosure of all eyes in the world. therefore the APC is 150 per cent ready to take all-comers during the governorship election.
But, there are speculations that Governor Obiano is scheming to join APC. how true is that?
I don’t know about that. if he wants to join the party, we will welcome him, but not to vie for the governorship ticket of the APC for the November election, though the more the merrier. The APC is a party that does not toe the line of other political parties where anybody can jump in and grab the ticket without paying his or her dues.
With the number of people joining the party now, don’t you think that what happened to the PDP is likely to repeat itself in the APC?
The APC is well organised. it will not happen with the quality of people in the party like Buhari, Asiwaju Tinubu, Ngige etc. The party will not disintegrate like the PDP. I have not seen the possibility and that again too is why we are being careful in the caliber of people trooping into the party now.
Do you think the caliber of people gunning for the governorship ticket have the quality to lead Anambra?
The party has quality and those going for the ticket are solid. But, be that as it may, there are people who made the party what it is in Anambra State today. but, don’t forget that senator Chris Ngige, the revered national auditor, Chief George Muoghalu, and notable engineer, Barth Nwibe, played significant roles in building the party.
But, I believe that the party being organized, will bring out a guideline that will ensure fairness in selecting our candidate, there are others also who have contributed immensely to the growth of APC in Anambra that are equally gunning for the ticket.
My own role is to make sure that whoever the party picks as its candidate will be supported fully by every person in the party and that is why we are a united family.
The party has not zoned the office to any place. What we want is a good person emerging as our candidate, who will be supported by all the members and the state in general.
The Nation