Anambra APC guber aspirant Barth Nwibe
A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Engr. Barth Nwibe, has described a crop of politicians in the party as ‘Food is Ready politicians’ with no political ideology.
Nwibe, who spoke at the Correspondents Forum on Friday in Awka, said such politicians are rushing into the party because it is the party at the centre.
He vowed never to leave the APC platform for any other political party even if he fails to grab the ticket to run as its flag bearer in the November 18, 2017 governorship election in the state.
The Correspondents’ Forum is a platform created by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council.
“There are two crops of politicians in jostling for ticket in APC, those who believe strongly in the change mantra of the APC and those who came in after the party has won power at the centre because they believe they can win power using the platform of the party.
“For me, we have no other party than the APC, and whether the party wins or loses, we will remain in the party. We have been in the opposition for 15 years, but for the other group, we are not even sure they will remain in our party if they win power.
“Even if I fail to become the flag bearer of APC, I will remain there as a loyal party member. I can’t leave a house I have built for so many years for people that do not have anything to offer the party, they will simply destroy it because they are only following the trail of power. Leaving will never be an option,” he said.
Nwibe, however, expressed confidence in the party to conduct a free and fair primary election to select a candidate of the party for the governorship election.
“I believe that APC will conduct a free and fair primary election. This is a party that does not base its criteria for nominating candidates on money.
“We nominated our president, Muhammadu Buhari because we believed he was the best, not because he had money. So all those people who are joining our party with the mindset that money is all, will be disappointed,” Nwibe stated.
He reeled out his programme to include job creation, especially for the youths, affordable healthcare, creation of medical tourism and quality education.
He also said that he would support Orient Petroleum with fund to ensure it becomes a world class company and in so doing help them actualise the refinery.
On the rumour of being an anointed son of the party leader for the ticket, Nwibe said: “I don’t know if I am anointed son to our leader, Dr. Chris Ngige for our party’s ticket but I will like to be. Ngige is a big masquerade, so if I’m chosen by him, it is an honour.”
NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.