The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) under the leadership of Sir Victor Umeh has dismissed yesterday’s appointment of Iyom Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as the party’s new Leader as “another exercise in futility.” The appointment was announced yesterday by the rival National Executive Committee under the leadership of Chief Maxi Okwu.

Reacting to the development late yesterday, APGA’s Publicity Bureau said in a statement made available to News Express last night: ‘The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Nigeria, totally condemns the unwarranted recklessness and mischief being visited on our great party, by one Chief Maxi Okwu.

‘We deplore in no uncertain terms Maxi Okwu’s latest attempt to drag the esteemed wife – Iyom Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, of our late National Leader - DIM Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, into his political schemes. We, at the APGA categorically state that Maxi Okwu was not given any such permission to present, or represent the name of Iyom Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu under any guise, on behalf of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, not even as Leader.

‘Magic’ Okwu just threw a Hail Mary Pass to no one in particular, hoping something will catch. This recent attempt is another exercise in futility, as the wife our late leader has nothing to do with Maxi Okwu or his cohorts on behalf of any renegade person, group or groups pleading APGA.

‘Nobody needs to remind Maxi Okwu of his non-relationship with Her Excellency, Mrs. (Iyom) Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the wife of our Late National Leader.

‘We restate again, that Her Excellency, Iyom Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, gave no such permission, and is presently not entertaining same.

‘A dying man will grab at any coattails. This latest effort, is an attempt by ‘Magic’ Okwu and his fellow political marauders to remain relevant, “by any means necessary”. It also demonstrates the desperation which individuals may subject themselves to draw attention to their very drowning effort at making political mischief.

‘We at the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Nigeria, warn all to avoid these recent and false presentations on behalf of our great party. Her Excellency, (Mrs) Iyom Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu has nothing to do with the recent release on behalf of APGA. We warn all to desist impostors and cankerworm, which do the APGA no good.’

•Photo shows Bianca Odumeguw-Ojukwu.