Imagine feeling betrayed by your own political family. That's the crux of the story as Representative Ikenga Ugochinyere dramatically departs from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to join the Action People’s Party (APP). But what drove this influential politician to abandon ship? Let's delve into the details.
According to reports by Emmanuel Iheaka, Hon. Ugochinyere officially declared his move to the APP on Wednesday at his home in Akokwa, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State. His explanation? A complete loss of faith in the PDP's ability to be salvaged. He stated that despite his best efforts, the party was beyond repair, making his departure a necessary step.
Ugochinyere didn't mince words when recounting his turbulent history with the PDP. He highlighted the numerous legal battles he faced, often initiated by members of his own party. "From the day we started with PDP to this afternoon, we are still in court with our party in a bid to retain the seat that for over fifteen years they never won until we brought victory to them," he lamented. He questioned the wisdom of continuing to fight within a system that seemed determined to undermine him. "Now that we survived all these ordeals in the last three, four years, should we try it again? No. Should we test God to see whether we survive? Not to talk of the fact that some of them testified against us in tribunal, our own party men."
And this is the part most people miss: Ugochinyere felt particularly slighted as the PDP's only federal lawmaker in the state. He suggested that some party members prioritized their own interests over the party's success. "I found it very insulting as the only federal lawmaker that the party has in the state. But they preferred that the party died while they washed dishes in Port Harcourt," he asserted, implying that certain individuals were more concerned with personal gain than with strengthening the PDP's position in Imo State.
Ugochinyere's vision for the APP is ambitious. He envisions building the party "from scratch," fueled by the energy and enthusiasm of young people. "We want to build. We want to earn every vote. And that’s why we took a political party that we want to build from scratch, filled with energy of young people, we went to a political party that didn’t have any governors so we can build because we are sure of what we want to do. It’s on that ground that I have decided to depart from the PDP," he explained, emphasizing his desire to create a party grounded in genuine grassroots support rather than established power structures.
But here's where it gets controversial... Ugochinyere also used this high-profile platform to address a simmering feud between Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization. He specifically called on Wike to cease any further insults directed at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, stating that such attacks were an affront to the entire Igbo community.
Ugochinyere minced no words, saying, "I want to warn you, that your decision to attack the Igbo nation by insulting the President General of the Igbo nation should be the last." He emphasized the importance of respecting the Ohanaeze Ndigbo's President General, Senator Azuta Mbata, whose leadership is widely recognized and respected within the Igbo community worldwide. "Igbos all over the world can tolerate all these things you did, but you see, to look at Ohaneze Ndigbo President General and talk down on a man that the whole Igbo nation find fit to lead the race worldwide is a red line," Ugochinyere declared. He also called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and caution Wike, urging him to refrain from denigrating the Igbo people. He pointed out that "Sen. Azuta Mbara is not in your class. The whole Ndigbo find him fit to lead our tribe. He told you a simple truth. That he helped you, gave you your lifeline. That does not warrant an insult”.
Ugochinyere also expressed his frustration with the lack of progress in the investigation into attacks on his home. He claimed that those arrested had made confessional statements, yet the police had taken no further action. This adds another layer to the narrative, suggesting a sense of vulnerability and a perceived lack of protection.
This whole situation begs the question: Do you think Ugochinyere made the right decision to leave the PDP? Was he justified in his criticism of Wike and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo controversy? And what impact will his move to the APP have on the political landscape of Imo State? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
