APGA Criticizes Okorie, Njoku Factions for Threatening to Sanction Soludo

The leadership crisis within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) intensified on Thursday as the party’s National Chairman, Sly Ezeokenwa, cautioned the founding chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, to distance himself from Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo.

Okorie had earlier threatened to take disciplinary action against Soludo for not recognizing Edozie Njoku as the party’s factional chairman. He expressed frustration over Soludo’s failure to align with the faction and accused him of undermining APGA’s principles, leading to potential disciplinary measures for anti-party activities.

Ezeokenwa, however, rejected Okorie’s claims, accusing him and his allies of attempting to extort Governor Soludo. Speaking in Abuja, Ezeokenwa clarified that Okorie and his group had ceased being members of APGA since 2007, dismissing their threats as attempts to pressure Soludo for personal gain.

He asserted, “Okorie and his associates believe they can blackmail Governor Soludo into diverting state funds for their own benefit, but they are mistaken. Soludo is a principled economist, not someone easily swayed by such tactics.”

Ezeokenwa further reminded the public that Okorie had been expelled from APGA after attempting to sabotage Peter Obi’s gubernatorial bid in 2004, with the Supreme Court upholding his expulsion. He also pointed out that Okorie had since formed another political party, which was ultimately deregistered.

Additionally, Ezeokenwa voiced concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the commission of supporting the Njoku-led faction to undermine the party. He insisted that no court has ever recognized Njoku as APGA’s legitimate chairman and that the party is pursuing legal avenues to challenge INEC’s stance.

Ezeokenwa concluded by reaffirming APGA’s faith in the judiciary and the hope that the rule of law would prevail. He stated that Njoku was no longer a member of APGA, having left the party in 2007.