Peter Obi failed as a political leader–Maxi Okwu, APGA factional leader

June 7, 2014

Maxi Okwu

Chief Maxi Okwu, factional leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in this interview with OZIOMA UBABUKOH, speaks on the leadership tussle in the party and sundry issues

Are you not worried by the declining fortune of APGA that is now left with only one state?

I should be concerned, and it really gives me sleepless nights. However, I welcome the challenge as an opportunity to prove my political mettle. When Peter Obi, then governor of Anambra State, invited me back in early 2013, he must have recognised my credentials in the area of political party management. I have played in the entire gamut of party administration at both inter and intra party levels. On assumption of office in February 2013 after the Chelsea Hotel caucus, I immediately hinged my intervention on two legs, on the intra-party, the three R’s, Rapprochement, Reconciliation and Re-integration; two, on the inter-party, the re-enactment of the third leg in Nigeria’s politics. As our father did in the NCNC and then the NPP, APGA under my leadership would hold the balance of power between the two dominant parties and whichever side we swing, that side wins.

There is this sentimental attachment to APGA by the Igbo-speaking people of Nigeria. This sentiment is what we intend to harness and convert into electoral gains starting from the entire South-East and spreading all over the federation. It is a fact that the Igbo-speaking people of Nigeria rank second outside their homeland in any state of Nigeria after the indigenous people in terms of population.

Why is the party always embroiled in crisis of leadership?

This is the direct consequence of greed juxtaposed with megalomania. In this mix, you will also find what the late sage Obafemi Awolowo, called tenacity of office; that is, the tendency to perpetuate oneself in office. There is also the flagrant disregard for the party constitution. A treasurer suddenly leapfrogs into the national chairman’s position totally out of sync with the line of succession as enshrined in the party’s constitution filed with the Independent National Electoral Commission. The absence of a properly constituted Board of Trustees to act as a chamber of moral authority was also a minus.

Why is it difficult for APGA leaders to work together harmoniously?

This fact is a reality but very regrettable. It was caused by short-sightedness, visionlessness, greed, ignorance and error of judgement. We intend to carry out enlightenment within the leadership that will lead to behaviour-change for the new crop of leaders that shall be piloting the affairs of the party henceforth.

First, the fight was between Chekwas Okorie and Victor Umeh. Now, it is you and Umeh contending for the leadership position. Why?

Chief Victor Umeh kicked off the 10 years leadership dispute in APGA. In a political coup, he recruited four members of the National Working Committee of the party and removed the then national chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, and then deputy national chairman (North), the late Dr. Hassan Bello at NUJ Press Centre, Abuja on December 15, 2004. He immediately proclaimed himself the acting national chairman and retained his position as treasurer in flagrant violation of the party’s constitution. Over 20 suits were instituted from both sides, which lasted till March 2012 when Chief Chekwas Okorie returned the APGA certificate of registration in his custody to INEC.

Having assumed self-imposed office as chairman in December 2004, Chief Umeh continued in office till October 2012, when the Enugu High Court removed him from office. Not satisfied with his leadership, APGA stakeholders met and convened a proper National Convention duly monitored by INEC where I was elected National Chairman along with other officers of the party on April 8, 2013 at the Women Development Centre, Awka, Anambra State. An Awka High Court presided over by Justice Hope O. Ozoh on May 27, 2013 upheld the convention and my election as the authentic national chairman of the party. The Court of Appeal Enugu Division on July 15, 2013 restored Umeh in a matter between him and Jude Ejike Okuli, a former APGA chairman in Udi council of Enugu State. His reinstatement by the court was on the grounds that Okuli lacked locus standi to institute the case as he was not a member of any organ of the party and was not contesting the position of national chairman. The appellate court judgement did not confer any benefit or right on him. In that judgement, the Court of Appeal did not confer any right or benefit on Victor Umeh. What the court of Appeal decided was that the respondent (as plaintiff in the lower court) did not have the locus standi to institute this action. In that case the respondent was a mere member of APGA and not a member of any organ of the party and was not also a contestant for the post of Chairman.

Yet the substance of the matter, including the purported “election” of Umeh’s National Working Committee in February 2011 Convention at Awka, through affirmation and elongated stay in office, were not addressed.

These, among others, were the issues handled by the Federal High Court, Abuja presided over by Justice Abdu-Kafarati which finally removed Umeh and Shinkafi from office. They appealed immediately. Ego, selfishness and flagrant violation of APGA Constitution are responsible for the lingering leadership disagreement in the party. It will interest you to know that the Peoples Democratic Party in its 15 years of existence has had 10 chairmen while APGA in 12 years has had two chairmen. Umeh had stayed from December 15, 2004, when he plotted the removal of Chekwas Okorie and announced himself as chairman from treasurer and still parades himself as chairman in 2014. Shinkafi is even worse. Having been elected national secretary in January 2003, he still parades himself in 2014, as secretary of the party in disobedience to the Abuja Federal High Court that sacked them. The court has since issued Form 48, contempt charge against them. They have evaded service since then, otherwise they would have been in prison by now for contempt of court.

But for the crisis, APGA would have become the umbrella body for all Igbos. How can they come together politically?

APGA remains the umbrella body of Ndigbo. It is their political party. It is said that every Igbo person is an APGA member regardless of any other political party he or she belongs. APGA is beyond a political party – it is a movement deeply entrenched in Igboland. Many illustrious sons and daughters of Igbo extraction in Nigeria and in the Diaspora have identified with the party and are ready to contest under its platform in 2015 general elections. A lot of alignment and re-alignment of forces have been going on awaiting formal campaign. APGA is the heartbeat of Ndigbo. We shall win the South-East zone and beyond, and remain the third force in the nation’s political equation.

Is this not a problem for the Igbo race to aspire to rule Nigeria one day?

As I said earlier, APGA is the political soul of Ndigbo. It is their party of choice. It was the closed-shop leadership style of my predecessor that forced some prominent Igbo men and women to be on the sideline. We have reached out to those who were marginalised and welcome back all those who want to be in the party. Ndigbo will take a shot at the presidency in 2019. When we get to the bridge, we shall cross it.

Do other parts of Nigeria find it difficult to trust Igbo with political leadership of the country?

Nigerians have confidence in Ndigbo and our inherent political sagacity and savvy. The first Governor General and President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, was an Igboman. Both the British and Nigerians trusted him to govern the nation. Today, we have many Azikiwes who will lead the nation to the Promised Land under APGA platform in 2019. You will understand when we get to 2019.

Whose camp is the former governor Peter Obi supporting, you or Umeh?

Former Governor Peter Obi claimed to be in Umeh’s camp for now. You are aware he reconciled with his brother ahead of November 2013 Anambra State governorship election. We have confidence that the Appeal Court judgement will be in our favour as the law is on our side. With the expected victory, a few members still hanging up with our erstwhile chairman will return to the fold, including Governor Obi who also brought me back to APGA to assist in rebranding, restructuring and repositioning it to be a force in Nigeria’s political horizon.

Even the leader of the party, Bianca Ojukwu, who is she for?

The amiable wife of our dear leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Iyom Bianca Ojukwu, is with us and our national leader.

Do you see a time in future when an Igbo man would rule Nigeria?

Sure, in 2019 presidential election, an Igbo man will emerge as the president of Nigeria.

Why is it very difficult for the Igbo race to speak with one voice?

On major national issues, Ndigbo speak with one voice. For instance, in the ongoing National Conference, Ndigbo articulated their views and presented them to the conference. Although Ndigbo are more republican than other tribes or ethnic nationalities and express their individual views on some issues, when it comes to critical matters affecting Ndigbo in particular and the nation in general, they speak with one voice.

Are you not worried that after the death of Ojukwu, the race cannot point to a leader politically?

Indeed, Ojukwu was a big masquerade whose shoe would be difficult to fit a lesser mortal. He was like a demi-god who appears once in a generation like Zik, Awo and Ahmadu Bello. We have distinguished Igbo leaders who are pulling weight in the country and abroad, and are loved by Ndigbo.

It is rumoured that APGA is only marking time to join the PDP, is it true?

APGA will never merge with any political party for any reason whatsoever. It is ruled out. The party as the name denotes can go into alliance with like-minded political party or parties to enhance its electoral fortunes.

It was even alleged that the former governor, Peter Obi, was a PDP mole in APGA, was it true?

I am not Peter Obi’s spokesman. As of today, he is a card-carrying member of APGA. He is the face of APGA and performed very well as governor of Anambra State. We are proud of his achievements. But he failed as a political leader by not resolving the leadership disagreement in the party before he left office.

What is the role of money politics in Igbo land?

In all democracies across the world, money plays a role in campaigns. And in all democracies, the electoral bodies control the amount of money invested in partisan politics so as not to influence voters on their choice of candidates.

The Electoral Act 2010 stipulates how much a candidate or party should spend on each elective position. INEC has not been able to check, control and punish those who contravened it. Political investors or godfathers have been in business unchallenged across the country. It is not peculiar to Igboland.

Why can’t you, in the interest of the Igbo nation, resolve your differences with Umeh without the law courts?

Chief Victor Umeh is my friend. I don’t have any personal issue with him. APGA is a foremost national political party with a constitution duly registered with INEC. Officers and members are bound by the party’s constitution. Article 18 of APGA constitution stipulates the tenure of office/election of party officers. Article 18(2) provides a four-year renewable tenure for officers of the party. Article 18(4) states that, “Election into any of the offices of the party shall be by way of secret ballot.” The constitution did not envisage a situation where an officer will purport to be in office for 11 years and five months as in the case of Alhaji Sani Shinkafi who was nominated for the office of national secretary on Thursday, January 2, 2003, at APGA fourth National Working Committee meeting held at the party’s National Secretariat in Gwarinpa, Abuja. Chief Victor Umeh, then vice national chairman (South East), was nominated for the position of national treasurer. Shinkafi and Umeh were elected national secretary and treasurer at the party’s first national convention at Old Parade Ground, Garki, Abuja on January 10, 2003. I was the deputy national chairman (South) of the party and chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee. Since January 10, 2003 national convention at which Shinkafi was elected national secretary, he still claims to be in the same position in May 2014, in violation of the party’s constitution that stipulates a maximum tenure of eight years for all office holders.

Chief Victor Umeh led a few party officers to suspend Chief Chekwas Okorie, then national chairman, on December 15, 2004 and declared himself acting national chairman, in violation of Article 19 of APGA constitution on vacancies/removal from office. On January 11, 2005, his National Executive Committee’s faction of APGA “elected” him acting national chairman of the party. From December 15, 2004 till date, Umeh still claims to be national chairman of APGA while Governor Peter Obi who assumed office in Anambra State on March 17, 2006 has since left office without rancour on March 17, 2014. Moreover, the APGA constitution stipulates that election into various offices shall be by way of secret ballot, not voice vote or ratification of positions announced by sit-tight leaders to the chagrin of party members and stakeholders.

I extended an olive branch to our erstwhile chairman and offered to meet him unconditionally at his convenience in Enugu. I set up a Peace, Truth and Reconciliation Committee, led by Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba, in an effort to appease, reconcile and reintegrate all aggrieved members of the party. The reconciliation committee met with Chief Victor Umeh at his residence in Enugu. Unfortunately, he turned down all peace moves we made since I was elected national chairman.

We have also apologised to APGA founding national chairman, Chief Chekwas Okorie, and visited him with other leaders of the party. We have visited and reconciled with other founding leaders and members of the party, including Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu and Dr. L.A. Chukwuma. The reconciliation meeting is ongoing.

After all the litigation war, what then does the Igbo race stand to gain?

We are awaiting the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, which heard Umeh’s appeal on April 29, 2014 and reserved judgment. He appealed the Justice Abdulkadir Abdu-Kafarati’s judgement of January 15, 2014, which removed him as chairman and sacked all the purported National Working Committee members he extended their positions in the illegal and unconstitutional convention held in February 2011 at Awka, Anambra State. Since the law is on our side, we have confidence that the decision of the appellate court will be in our favour.

APGA is more than a political party; it is a mass movement generally accepted in Nigeria and deeply rooted and grounded in Igbo land. It will be a party to beat in 2015. The Anyi Agaba political train has been stemming for the long awaited voyage across the nation to herald genuine participatory democracy in Nigeria. Former Governor Peter Obi’s government in Anambra State was a model of an APGA led government. It will be replicated in all South East states in 2015 and beyond. APGA serves quit notice to the PDP governments in Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia states and the ill-fated APC government in Imo State. They should start preparing their handover notes immediately.

Don’t you think people may not take the issue of the party serious when all the time, its leaders are at one another’s jugular?

It is unfortunate that APGA has been unduly subjected to leadership disagreement since Umeh plotted the removal of Chekwas Okorie on December 15, 2004 and imposed himself as chairman from treasurer. I was the then deputy national chairman (South).

The inordinate ambition of some principal officers of the party and their sponsors are responsible for the impunity and arbitrary actions that have retarded the progress, development and advancement of our great party. My rescue mission will address this illegality and redirect the ship of the party to the path of rectitude, honour and progress. A rebranded APGA will strengthen and deepen our democratic process.

Don’t you think people may have lost interest in the chains of litigation in courts?

No. the main suit in court is the leadership dispute in which Chief Umeh lost at the Federal High Court, Abuja on January 15, 2014 and appealed same at the Court of Appeal Abuja Division. The appellate court has reserved judgement. The decision of the Court of Appeal on the matter will determine the outcome of the other cases. The era of impunity, life chairmanship and imposition of candidates is over.

How would you feel if the party dies off because of the crises?

APGA is a spirit; it cannot die. It is a mass movement, deeply rooted and grounded in the hearts of Ndigbo irrespective of the political parties they belong. APGA is strong and kicking in all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. It is a national party generally accepted by Nigerians especially progressives who identify with the party’s ideology. You will recall when I emerged as the interim National Chairman of APGA in February 2013, 14 political parties under the aegis of Patriotic Alliance of Nigeria met in Lagos and resolved to be in coalition or alliance with APGA under my leadership in future elections. Recently the United Progressive Party led by Chief Chekwas Okorie and the authentic APGA led by Maxi Okwu will also be in alliance in 2015 general election and beyond. Consultation is still going on with other political parties in an effort to build a grand alliance that will determine the outcome of the forthcoming general election. It is obvious that APGA will come out of the Umeh-induced leadership disagreement stronger, better and well equipped to win more governorship and legislative seats in 2015 polls.