The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Umeh, on Wednesday described the defection of a former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, to the Peoples Democratic Party as “inconsequential”.
Chief Umeh, who welcomed over 7,000 decampees from the All Progressives Congress and the Labour Party to APGA in Asaba, the Delta State capital, said the arch-rival APC is dead in Delta State.
Umeh, who seized the occasion to handover the flag of his party to contestants of the October 25 council polls in the state, described the dumping of his party by Obi as a non issue.
Speaking at the Oshimili Arcade, venue of the reception in Asaba, Umeh spoke glowingly about President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid and Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State.
He said APGA still remains a party to beat in the Light of the Nation state.
According to him, the number of decampees from the Delta State chapters of the APC and LP agreeably outweighed the Obi saga, which he said removes nothing from the shinning star of his party.
He said: “We are happy that Peter Obi has left APGA and many people are joining APGA today.
“So, while some people are leaving, others are trooping in.
“Peter Obi left APGA alone, but over 7,000 people joined APGA today in Delta State.
“That is democracy for you.
“As you can see, if there is problem in APGA, people will not be trooping into it.
“So, we are grateful to God that Obi has left and left alone.
“With the ceremony of today, it is clear that APC is dead in Delta State.
“Obi’s absence will not distract us.
“A political party is like a church where members leave freely and have free access.”
Flanked by the Delta State Chairman of the party, Ogbueshi Tony Eboka, and the party’s Delta State House of Representatives candidate, Chief Tony Uche Azuya, and other national officers of the party, Umeh said the Anioma axis of Delta State belongs to APGA.
He said his party would win no fewer than 20 local government areas in this month’s council elections in the state.
He urged APGA faithful to garner support for President Jonathan, who he said “is the only person that can bring about the desired peace in Nigeria”.