Former Minister of Aviation and Senator representing Anambra North senatorial district, Stella Oduah, has dumped the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) for the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA).
The former Aviation Minister surfaced at the APGA national secretariat yesterday in Abuja and was received by members of the party national working committee led by its chairman, Victor Oye. She was accompanied by Senator Victor Umeh, the APGA senator in the National Assembly.
Nigerian Tribune checks revealed that with Stella Oduah’s defection to the APGA, the opposition party now have 8 of its members in the National Assembly.
Addressing a gathering of chieftains of APGA, the former Aviation Minister said she has always been inspired by what the party represents in the south-east.
She said: “APGA is a movement, it cares about the other person and that’s what I think politics is all about. You should be able to make a difference, enhance the life of average man and woman in your constituency. I am impressed by the holistic movement which APGA stands for, that’s what I cherish. I thank the party for giving me the opportunity to be here and be part of human development. We have a governor in Anambra, Willie Obiano that stands for transformation and a national chairman that isn’t myopic in his worldview and wants APGA to grow beyond the south-east.
“I want to also appreciate my colleague in the Senate, Victor Umeh. He is an epitome of what a legislator should be. He is one of the most brilliant, sagacious and committed sons of Igboland.
In his remarks, the immediate past national chairman of APGA, Senator Umeh said he was excited over the development as he noted that he would no longer be alone in the Red Chamber. He further noted that Senator Oduah defection has swelled the rank of APGA members in the national assembly.
“We are very happy to have accompanied Senator Stella Oduah to this secretariat. We are confident that under my successor APGA will grow. We need more senators, governors and members of House of Representatives. That’s how we can grow. With Senator Oduah we are now eight and we are the third largest party in Nigeria. I am very happy. I have been alone since I joined the Senate I now have a companion. With our members in House of Representatives, we can confidently talk about APGA caucus in the National Assembly. With what we have seen today, the weight of APGA caucus is increasing.”
Chairman of APGA in Anambra, Honourable Norbert Obi, equally expressed his delight over the development.
“I am highly delighted when I got the news today that Senator Oduah is joining. By 2019, we shall have so many governors, senators and House of Representatives. It has happened and God will not abandon us. I want to thank our national chairman for building on a good job of his predecessor, Senator Victor Umeh. You are most welcomed.”
National secretary of APGA and former Information Minister, Labaran Maku declared that the national leadership of the party was determined to spread the party beyond its south-east stronghold.
“This has shown that APGA will grow from strength to strength. Imo state would have been under APGA today, but for Governor Rochas Okorocha movement to APC. We should have been talking about four governors but we are hopeful that the future is brighter than yesterday. I have known Senator Oduah to be a woman of strength and a mobiliser in the Senate.
“She has made a tremendous impact and she will improve on that in the Senate. Our members in the House of Representatives have equally been adding value. Our governor in Anambra has shown that this country can live in peace and stability, Governor Obiano has shown that APGA is a national brand and we shall continue to add value to democracy.”
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