Former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Alhaji Sadeeq Massala, has thrown his weight behind the ouster of the erstwhile party executive, including former National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, and his replacement with Chief Maxi Okwu in acting capacity.

Massala described as perfect and necessary, last Saturday’s Abuja meeting of the National Caucus of APGA which decided not to appeal the court judgment removing Chief Umeh as well as other members of the executive, including himself. He also endorsed the steps taken by the party towards organising a proper Convention as the court directed, by appointing Acting EXCO headed by Chief Okwu.

On why the turned around from his earlier position of not supporting the meeting, Massala, who brandished a copy of the judgment removing the Umeh-led EXCO, said: “The problem with those of us that are ardent believers in the rule of law is that we do not act in cases involving court judgments until we have seen the judgments. As at the time I was invited to the Saturday meeting, I asked for the judgment to give to my personal lawyer for advice, but nobody gave it to me. Feeling that it was a case of using me to perpetuate illegality, I kicked against the move.

“However, I got the judgment on Monday’s night. Having read it and having been advised by my lawyer on the import of the judgment, I accept it, realising that the National Caucus has acted within the letters and spirit of the judgment and should be commended.”

Massala, who spoke in Abuja, said he had since found out that Umeh has been feeding the public with falsehoods about the judgment out of his desperation to confuse and deceive them. He commended the judgment, saying it would offer APGA an opportunity to restructure for the much needed growth and development. He cautioned against some people seeing themselves as kings and the party as their kingdom.

Meanwhile, News Express has learnt that Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, who has been adopted as the APGA Leader, has declared that he is contended to be the Deputy Leader in line with the previous agreement of the party that Dim Chukwumeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu should remain the leader of the party even in death.

He thanked the members of the party for the mature steps taken so far to re-position the party in line with the judgment of the court and said that he would continue to offer his best for the party.

•Photo: APGA chief Massala.

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