Chief Emeka Charles Kalu, a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and former governorship candidate of Abia State, has described the alleged plan by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a mere rumour meant to make the ruling party feel relevant in the state.
Speaking exclusively with The NEXT EDITION on Saturday, Kalu, the National Coordinator, Peoples Democratic Party Coalition (PDPCO), maintained that although the APC had been using blackmail to ccoerce corrupt politicians, especially governors, who had skeletons in their cupboards to join its fold, Ikpeazu could not be one of those to seek refuge in the ruling party.
Kalu, who hailed from Abia North Senatorial District, stressed: “Ikpeazu like every other politician has the right to freedom of association with wherever he thinks his interest can be protected. But, I don’t see a reason why he will be joining APC in his second tenure.
“Since 2015, APC has proven to be a sanctuary for politicians with skeletons in their cupboards upon which they can be cajoled or threatened to join APC where their sins will be forgiven and their loots protected or face prosecution.
“I believe that it is under such stringent conditions that Ikpeazu may join APC. Besides that, I can categorically say that it is a mere rumour to make APC feel relevant in Abia State.
“You can agree with me that one of the effective tools of APC is blackmailing dirty politicians with pardon or prosecution. This magic wand can only work on certain people. I don’t think Ikpeazu is one of such persons that will seek refuge in APC.
“But, what I keep asking: What if the table turns and APC becomes the opposition? Will blackmailed decampees remain protected from their sins under APC?”
Kalu maintained that politics is a game of interest, adding that PDP is presently more interested in setting processes that will make Nigeria work again.
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He stressed that the success of this is not rested on any one person in the party, rather it is incumbent upon those who remained to work as a team with set goals and purpose.
“Therefore, we are not perturbed by the intrigues of cross-carpeting. Rather, we are focused on the gains of building a formidable party.
“We are not here for individuals. We are here as a team. We will continue to work hard while we watch and wait for what the future holds,” he added.
The PDP chieftain stated that the rumour of Ikpeazu’s defection plan was fueled by the allegation by Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, former Abia State governor and current Senator representing Abia North Senatorial Zone in the Senate, that the incumbent governor had made deal promising that if he would win the litigation that trailed his second term, he would join APC.
He, however, stressed that much as many pundits might have alluded to what he termed as “media stunt by the media friendly ex-governor and Senator”, people should not be disturbed by what he said was a mere speculation.
According to him, “it is not the duty of Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu to announce to Nigerians that Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is defecting to APC, and as such, we cannot rest on such media stunt until Ikpeazu declares such like Engr Dave Umahi did in his Ebonyi State.”
