A governorship aspirant in Anambra State on the platform of
the All Progressives Congress, Chief Barth Nwibe has described defectors
to APC in the state for the purpose of contesting the November 18 poll as
‘food is ready politicians’.
He added that such people had no party ideology, but were
propelled by selfish interest of joining any political party that could serve
them as a vehicle to power.
He spoke on Saturday as a guest at the Correspondents’
Chapel Forum of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council.
He said there were two groups of aspirants on the platform
of the party for the governorship election in the state: “those who
believe strongly in the change mantra of the APC and those who came in after
the party had won power at the centre because they believe they can win election
using the platform of the party.
“For me, we have no other party than the APC, and whether
the party wins or loses, we will remain in the party. We have been in
opposition for 15 years, but for the other group, we are not even sure they
will remain in our party if they win the election.”
Reacting to the story making the rounds that he was being
perceived in some quarters as the anointed candidate of the Minister of Labour
and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, the APC governorship aspirant, said
there were reasons for some people to have such impression.
Describing Ngige as a political avatar, Nwibe said he had served him,
politically for over 15 years.
He said “The minister is a great Igbo man; he did great for
this state as governor. I would love to be his anointed candidate; because I
know that if he anoints me, my journey to becoming the next governor of the
state is sure.
“However, I must say the story that I’m the minister’s
choice is a speculation, apparently because of my closeness with the minister.”
He added that APC as a political party that champions
change in all ramifications would organise a free and fair primary for its
aspirants in Anambra State devoid of sentiments.
He said it would amount to political suicide for the party
to give its ticket to those who had no kindred interest and affinity in the
party.
He said, “I believe that APC will conduct a free and fair
primary election in the state. This is a party that does not base its criteria
for nominating candidates on money. We nominated our president, Buhari because
we believed he was the best, not because he had money. So all those people who
are joining our party, hoping that money is all, will be disappointed.”
By Tony Okafor
