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Raymond Ozoji, Awka
Ex-factional Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly and representative of Aguata 2 state constituency Rt. Hon. Ikem Uzoezie has given reasons why he abandoned his former political party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance and decided to pitch tent with the All Progressives Congress.
Uzoezie, who spoke with our correspondent in Awka in an exclusive Interview, said he has found solace and better platform to pursue his future political career.
He said he dumped APGA due to ill-treatment, machinations and worst still, his suspension from the party and failure of the party leadership to initiate his recall.
The former Speaker said when he joined APGA in 2004, he did not know that the party, which hitherto pursued the mandate of “Be Your Brother’s Keeper”, would be hijacked by alleged marauders someday even though he equally expressed an uncommon happiness that he has moved on to the next level.
Uzoezie said, “I was suspended from APGA since last year and up till now I have not been recalled. So I decided to pitch my tent with another party to have peace of mind and rest.
My suspension from APGA was because we impeached the Speaker Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu. So I was suspended together with two other members and up till this moment, I have not been recalled to APGA.”
He said that the handwriting on the wall revealed that the party no longer needs him; so he decided to seek refuge in the All Progressives Congress to assuage his frayed nerves and move on.
The lawmaker also cleared the air that contrary to insinuations that his defection to APC was borne out of the fact that he lost in the last general elections, he said it was of paramount importance to state that he didn’t contest any elective position in the said election and that his defection to the APC has absolutely nothing to do with it.
He said it was better for him to be in the APC than to be in APGA and continue to grope in the dark. The lawmaker further noted that between 2004 and not too long ago, he was happier being in the APGA but pointed out that going by the way and manner the party was being run by the current leadership, he didn’t see the party offering him any better opportunity.
According to him, “All things being equal, APC will afford us a better platform to exchange positive ideas and move on with life. So, for my supporters, I wish them well and will continue to support their activities to the best of my abilities while urging them to always stand up for truth no matter what.”
It would be recalled that the former factional Speaker of the 6th assembly had on Tuesday 30th April this year made a public declaration on the floor of the House where he announced his defection to the APC thereby making him the only APC lawmaker in the state assembly.
He has also paid a familiarisation visit to the state secretariat of the APC in Anambra where he met the state executives of the party to inform them of his decision to pursue his electoral ambitions on the platform of the party.
