The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) says the outgoing and incoming governors of Anambra State will not be defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as presently being rumoured.
National Co-ordinator of APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe stated this in a press briefing in the state capital, Awka on Monday.
The rumour of the planned defection began to circulate shortly after the November 6 gubernatorial election.
It was rumoured that the duo’s defection was the condition given to them for the APC-led Federal Government to allow a free and fair gubernatorial election.
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Obigwe described the rumour as “a lie from the pit of hell”.
He stated, “It’s important to say it boldly that the battle Governor Obiano fought on November 6th was a battle for the survival of APGA as the only Igbo party in Nigeria. He fought that battle with all his heart and God gave him victory.
“There was never a time Governor Obiano promised anybody that if Soludo wins the election, both of them will join APC.
“Governor Obiano nurtured a good relationship with President Buhari administration for the betterment of Ndi Anambra. The President respects the fact that Obiano is the leader of APGA and accords him that respect.
“President Buhari did not lobby him to join APC because he knows very well that Governor Obiano will not accept to abandon APGA, a party that has Igbo interest at heart and defect to APC.”
“The only thing Governor Obiano did that worked in favour of APGA in the November 6th governorship election is that he extracted a free and fair election commitment from President Buhari.
“The President promised him that the election would be free and fair without interference from the Presidency.
President Buhari fulfilled the promise and the resultant effect is that the November 6th governorship election is now being applauded by Nigerians and international communities as the most free and fair election conducted by INEC in recent times.”
He further described the rumoured defection as “childish propaganda”.