The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted to an interview granted to the Sun Newspaper on Monday, October 20, by Nigerian Ambassador to Spain and widow of the late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu, where she expressed shock and disappointment at the former governor’s leaving the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). She said, inter alia, “It is undeniable that Obi made immense contributions to APGA. I remain proud of his achievements, as governor of Anambra State. His exit diminishes us, and many of his supporters and grassroots crusaders are disappointed and demoralised.” Mrs. Ojukwu also described the action of the former governor as a betrayal of her late husband and renowned Igbo leader, who had such great trust in him and his assurances that he, Obi, would always stand by APGA. In his reaction, Obi, who has so far ignored all comments made about his political decision, opened up by pointing out that Mrs. Ojukwu was not a frivolous person and that her comments must be taken seriously more so when she was the wife of his leader. But he reminded the public that loyalty to a cause does not change with a change of platform; and that there has not been any change of principles on his part. Speaking with journalists, Obi said this response would be his last on the matter to enable him channel his time and energy alongside other well-meaning Igbos to work for the re-election campaign of President Goodluck Jonathan and the place of Ndigbo in the Nigerian politics. He said: “Of all those who have spoken, and who continue to speak, on the issue of my leaving APGA, only Bianca spoke with sincerity. She does not fall into the class of those who are now displaying dated video clippings and presenting matters out of context for political reasons, without appreciating the sacrifice put into building the House they are now destroying.” Continuing, Obi said: “I want to have it on record that Bianca was right when she reported my exchange with the Ikemba when he called me and asked whether I would leave APGA, after the events of Abia State at
that time, when the governor left APGA for reasons I believe to be genuine. I wish to reiterate that I am still loyal to our great leader, in terms of what serves the interests of our people and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Everyone knows today that APGA is not what it used to be. My assurance to our great leader did not imply that I would be loyal to a platform that some people have resolved to turn into an empty shell without an inner core of shared values. I remain faithful to those values and principles our great leader asked me to stand by and defend.” Obi insists that time would reveal whether the APGA of today is still propagating the late leader’s core principles. He said he had seen enough of violation of what APGA stood for, and therefore cannot continue to stay in a place which had departed from the original course and where clearly he was not wanted. Recounting the father-son relationship between him and late Ojukwu, Obi said he kept his promise to the leader and finished as an APGA
governor and helped to enthrone another APGA governor. He also said he stayed with Ojukwu throughout his trying period and intervened in all possible ways to ensure that he was given a burial befitting for a leader and a hero. Speaking further, Obi said: “According to Mrs. Ojukwu, our political father, Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Ndi Anambra and Nigerians believed I was humble, hard working, honest, good mannered, among others and that I delivered on good governance.
These were not primarily because of the political party I belonged to, but because of my belief that we must build a better society for our children.” Obi said Ojukwu advised him to continue to support Jonathan for reasons which he Ojukwu made clear
to him. On his several discussions with Mrs Ojukwu, Obi said it was true that they discussed about APGA repeatedly, but that the last time he discussed with her in detail was after he held a closed-door meeting with the leadership of the party with four venerated persons from Anambra State, after which he told Mrs. Ojukwu that based on what transpired at the meeting, which those people understood, he had had enough and needed to move on. “Like my leader and political father, Odumegwu Ojukwu, who was bitterly criticised for ignoring the Zik- led Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) to join the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), where he felt the interests of Ndigbo and the nation would be better served, I have moved out of a political party which in my own opinion has derailed. I have moved on to a place my contributions towards proper representation of our people would have the level of impact that would make Ikemba rejoice in his grave,” Obi Said Obi said Mrs. Ojukwu, whom he holds in high esteem would later be in a position to judge the propriety or otherwise of recent developments in the party and his actions. He concluded that time will judge all “our actions accordingly.” www.thisdaylive.com/articles/obi-replies-bianca-ojukwu-says-he-left-apga-because-it-had-derailed/191917/

less concern

Did I read he left so that he will join other igbos to campaign for gej? What a reason.

End of discussion for me

More like money no dey exchange his hands again since he's no longer a governor.

When Ikemba moved to NPN where was the outrage like he said? Anybody talking smack would have moved a long time ago. Only the person wearing the shoe knows where it pinches.

BTW none of the APGA Big Boys are complaining but you people carry this for head

Na today

Really?

derailed? www..com

Ur shi*


looks more like Jona is forcing all these governors in minority parties into PDP all for the success of his 2015 ambition.

May he not succeed

Story for d gods

Nice

Now The battle line is drawn! Obi vs Bianca. Who is The referee? Hei, Umeh, Come here now or you call Stella Oduah to. anchor This fight

Politicians scrambbling for relevance at the expense of the gullible followers since 500BC

OK, he left cos APGA is broke

Where are the IslamicAPC e-urchins

Can't this two just find a room and get it all over with?

SlimSkipper:
no more money @ apga

.

it boils down to the fact that some partes are one man party.some are people based,the choice is theirs!

At least a dignified response from a sensible person. Obi is looking forward to become a minister in jonathan cabinet.

true talk....derailing!dats the most suitable term for apga*s current condition.mr obi wants greener pasture n a platform were he can fulfil his future political ambitions.APGA is no place for that... i actually saw dat coming just after the demise of odumegwu ojukwu the biafran leader..
its obvious that gud things dont last long..2go(a south African social network creation) n Apga r in the same shoe..PDP is gaining ground every now n then..

I thought he said he would quit politics after his second tenure

i had lots of respect fr dis man bfr now bt wit his latest move he will stumble.anambra will always belong to apga

Constructive criticism 4rm Bianca,anyway let's wait n see if Obi's accusation about his formal party will come 2 pass,then we can judge ;

This man has said nothing.
Flimsy excuse. Peter Obi was the BoT chairman, and played a prominent role in the party. There was arguably nobody he was answerable to except, may be, the chairman, Victor Umeh; being the only Governor in the party till recently when Willie Obiano came.

"...But he reminded the public that loyalty to a cause does not change with a change of platform; and that there has not been any change of principles on his part..."


Mr Obi, I hope the PDP does not take u serious on this.

Peter Obi disappointed me personally. I thought he promised to retire from partisan politics after he completes his 8 yr tenure as governor? Why is he desperate for political appointment now to the extent of decamping to PDP few months after successfully helping Obiano to become his successor? Peter Obi should just go and sit down

Oh! Whenever i see this woman's picture.. I feel like Ojukwu himself get eye for good thing oo

Homeless Couple Caught Having Sex In A Park![pic/video]

Lame and dry excuse...its his life...e no concern me.......Nigeria politicians lack integrity n ideologies....

APGA did not derail during your term as governor. It derailed after you left office, right? Just admit that you want to remain politically relevant, that's why you joined pdp (papa deceiving pikin). Goodluck to you

Sincere9gerian:
Peter Obi disappointed me personally. I thought he promised to retire from partisan politics after he completes his 8 yr tenure as governor? Why is he desperate for political appointment now to the extent of decamping to PDP few months after successfully helping Obiano to become his successor? Peter Obi should just go and sit down

why should he go and sit down? Cos he dumped you all?

Good and Mature response from Mr Obi rather than those politicians that would have used abusive words to design Mrs Ojukwu.

Nlmadfreak:
Oh! Whenever i see this woman's picture.. I feel like Ojukwu and Cramjones himself get eye for good thing oo

fixed