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Emenike: We’ll Rebuild Abia APC Despite Setbacks, Internal Sabotage in 2023 Poll
Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia
The Abia State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 General election, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, has said that the party would rebound after the setback it suffered.
He gave the assurance yesterday while addressing the party faithful after his family’s annual thanksgiving held at St. John Methodist Church Umukabia Okpuala, Umuahia North Local Government.
Emenike stated that the rebuilding process of Abia APC would start in earnest by the end of the first quarter of 2025, adding that the party remains strong even though the governorship poll did not work out in its favour.
“We are not down. Those who think we’re down should wait and see. We’re going to rebuild,” he said.
The party leader noted that the party’s chances at the 2023 poll in Abia was wrecked by some members that didn’t share in the passion for the development of the state as outlined in his vision.
He said that Abia APC has found itself among the opposition parties because the internal saboteurs “deliberately destroyed” all that the party had invested to get a favourable outcome at the poll.
But the former governorship flag bearer encouraged genuine party members to remain steadfast because “as our redeemer liveth, we shall overcome in Jesus name”.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Abia APC, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, told party members that the party leadership was yet to come to terms with the electoral injury inflicted on the party by those that pretended to be members.
“If not because of sabotage we will not be in opposition in Abia State today,” he lamented.
Nonetheless, he enjoined the party faithful to remain steadfast and strong with the hope that “tomorrow will be better, by God’s grace”.
Earlier in his homily at the thanksgiving service, the Founder/President, God’s Heritage Ministries International, Port Harcourt, Rev Felix Akara, lauded Chief Emenike for always making out time to thank God in every circumstance.
He described the development economist cum politician as a great leader, who is straightforward and has impacted positively on the society by building human capital.
However, the man of God regretted that the Nigeria paradox has made it difficult for visionary and forthright people like Emenike to gain access to executive political office because “his kind is usually resisted”.
Akara, who preached a message of hope, stated that Nigeria would emerge from the current economic hardships and massive loss in value of the national currency.
“It baffles me that in my own generation I’m watching the value of the Naira degenerate so much that a loaf of bread today costs as much as a brand new car in the 80s,” he said.
But the cleric insisted that the bad situation would eventually expire, saying, “I see a great Nigeria coming, a nation devoid of corruption, a nation rid of insecurity, hunger and illiteracy.”
“We are looking forward to a nation that is not mocked at the entry points (of other nations), a country where justice, equity and righteousness will be the cornerstone,” Akara said.