National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh yesterday visited the tomb of the party’s late leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, to celebrate his victory over rival chairman Maxi Okwu, on Wednesday, at the Appeal Court in Abuja.

Speaking at the late Biafrian leader’s tomb in company of his son Emeka Ojukwu Jnr. and some party faithful, Umeh said though the leader of the party was dead, his conqueror spirit still lives was responsible for his court victory.

According to Umeh, “I am here to celebrate our victory at the Court of Appeal and to brief Eze-Igbo on the journey so far because he was part of the journey as his spirit has been shining the light of victory on us. Some pretenders who have been laying claim to the leadership of APGA were sent packing by the court. I am the custodian of the political thoughts of Ikemba because he trained me for five years. We have gone to war and we are back here today to celebrate victory with our leader.

“Nigeria will hear our voice, those that have been fighting us has finally failed and today I tell you, there is no more faction in APGA. We will take back all the Igbo land that late Ojukwu won, a bigger victory awaits us in future because in next year’s election, we will sweep the votes. There is no room for anybody to take us to court again.

“I have come here to recharge my authority, my authority is very hot and I call all of you to join me in this battle because I am on a journey and battle set for me by the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu because he groomed me for five years.”

The APGA National Chairman revealed that plans are already underway to do a formal burial ceremony for all the sons and daughters of Igbo land that died during the civil war in the month of September as was discussed with the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

He called on party faithful to come together and work with one mind in other to move forward and conquer as that was the precept set by the late leader adding that door is open for new members to join the party adding that the only thing that will not be entertained is indiscipline.

“We want everybody to be part of us, we are not pursuing anybody, feel free to invite those that are interested in joining our party to come, we are not bearing grudge against anybody. Let’s learn to follow peace and oneness,” he said.

Umeh further said that APGA will not only win back the South-East states, that it will also get enough votes in Lagos State to share power with whoever may be there, if total victory becomes impossible.

While congratulating Umeh on his victory, Emeka Ojukwu Jnr., Sole Administrator of Nnewi North Local Government Area, thanked him coming to pay respect to his late father, saying that father would have been very proud of him if he were to be alive.

In his reaction to the Appeal Court judgement, Governor Obiano said that the restoration of Umeh to the leadership of the party was a well-considered decision in equity.

He complimented Umeh for standing up to the challenges of strengthening the party at this critical time and for not shying away from the demands of the struggle.

Obiano saluted the judiciary for its acute sense of responsibility and integrity in the discharge of its functions, noting that the third arm of government had continued to enrich democratic freedoms and stabilise the polity.

The governor said: “The upholding of the Umeh leadership after its wrongful nullification by a Federal High Court was a victory both for the members of APGA as a party and for party autonomy in its internal affairs.

“Every member of APGA who truly desires the well being and progress of the party should welcome this development. The party has been locked in needless tussles for some time now. The time that would have been spent in growing the party has been expended on rivalry and quarrels but, this judgment is focused and emphatic as to usher in a new phase of life for APGA and it upholds the right of members of a party to the leadership of their choice.”

Obiano urged APGA members to see themselves as members of one family with a common vision and aspiration and also stated that there was a lot of work to be done in the party.

The governor noted that as his administration’s development train gathers momentum, there was need for a united party and citizen support could not be more auspicious.

He complimented Umeh for standing up to the challenges of strengthening the party at this critical time and for not shying away from the demands of the struggle.

•Photo shows Chief Victor Umeh paying homage to late APGA Leader, Dim Ojukwu, at his tomb . . . yesterday in Nnewi.

Update news