By Peter Okutu
ABAKALIKI—No fewer than 75,000 Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, members in Ebonyi State have pulled out of the party to pitch tent with the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in next year’s general election.

The former PPA members, who decamped from the 20 wards that make up Ikwo Local government Area of the state, were reported to have lost confidence in the leadership of PPA and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, across the country.

In unanimous voice, the decampees criticized the government of Elechi for not providing basic amenities, such as water, electricity, and access roads since its inception in office, adding that the closure of Ebonyi State University, EBSU, and less active condition of Ebonyi State Teaching Hospital, EBSUTH, were clear testimonies that PDP had failed in Ebonyi.

Welcoming the new members into the fold of APGA yesterday at Ohatekwe-Amagu Community in Ikwo local government area of the state, the Assistant National Secretary of the party,  James Alaka, who described PDP as a sinking ship owing to the absence of internal democracy within the party, enjoined the new members to come out massively next month and get their voters’ cards so that with, it they could vote APGA in and PDP out.

He said: “About 75,000 persons, former members of PPA, have now moved to APGA. I’ve just accepted them. They are from the 20 wards that make up Ikwo Local Government Area of the state. Nobody compelled them. They simply moved because of the candidacy of APGA’s gubernatorial aspirant, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, who has an impressive antecedent and records of meritorious service to humanity.

“He was the former chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area, former ambassador to Greece and Minister of Culture and Tourism.  They saw him as the only person that would deliver democracy dividend to them. They also say that they were attracted by the internal democracy of APGA.

“PDP does not have any ward in Ikwo at all. Watch out what will happen in next year’s general election. APGA has internal democracy. In the party, members are given the privilege to say what they want to say.

They don’t impose candidates on the people. They allow the people to elect who they want to go for them. And that is the reason people are happy. The party allows people at the grassroots to make their choice.”

Also speaking, the former patron of PPA in the LGA and member who represented Ikwo South constituency in the old Anambra state, Hon. Nwoba Ibru who described the founder of PPA as a political gambler that was not committed to the pursuit of a singular course noted that they had to decamp to APGA because of the potentials prevalent in the party

He said: If Prof Akunyili could opt out of PDP, it means that PDP has failed us. I will never be with PDP in my life. I will remain in the opposition. PDP will not continue to deceive us. The potential I saw in APGA made me to consult and today we are gallantly declaring for APGA. PDP exploited us and abandoned us after elections. He added.

However, the Chairman of PPA in the state, Hon Cyril Obazi attributed the episode to the activities of political jobbers who are believes in the principle of money politics.

Vanguard gathered that with the preset development, the structures of PPA have consequently collapsed in Ikwo LGA, giving APGA an edge over other political parties in the area.