Why I dumped APGA for APC — Rep Nwaobasi

The federal lawmaker representing Ishielu/Ezza North in the House of Representatives, Hon. Joseph Nwobasi, has given reasons why he dumped his old party, All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), to join the All Progressive Congress (APC).

According to him, his decision was informed by the gesture of Governor Francis Nwifuru to run an all-inclusive governance and the unpaid backlog of pension and gratuities running into billions of naira to civil servants.

Nwobasi, who disclosed this during an interview with journalists in Abakaliki, added that it is during the Governor Francis Nwifuru administration that all the stakeholders of the state, irrespective of political affiliations, are united.

He expressed joy that the governor returned peace across the state that had been at war for decades.

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The lawmaker said, “One is that the performance of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna, when he assumed office, was to ensure that he maintained peace across the state. He moved into action to settle areas where they are crisis and make sure he restores peace.

“Two, he also brought together all the stakeholders of Ebonyi State, irrespective of the party you belong to. He paid the pension and gratuity arrears of civil servants. So, this is what attracted me. I said, not as if I had remained in APGA and contested for my second term, that I would not win. No. It is not like that.

“But because of what he’s doing, I felt it would be better if we were together. That’s why I said, let me join APC, so that we can at any time put things together and plan together on how to move Ebonyi forward”, he added.

He recounted his achievements as the lawmaker representing Ishielu/Ezza North federal constituency to include, but not limited to, the award of scholarship to university students, distribution of cars, sewing machines, grinding machines, vending machines and empowerment of widows.

Nwaobasi said, “If I should begin to recount my achievements at the National Assembly, I think there are too numerous to mention, but let me mention a few. I’ve done empowerment, which I think, as far as Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency is concerned, is one of its kind.

“Empowerment, which includes motorcycles, vending machines, cars, sewing machines, and many other items, which I think His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, was the one who came and declared the empowerment open.

‘The scholarship is made from year one till they graduate, depending on the course of their choice. This scholarship started in 2024. I’ve given the widows so many helping hands. I’ve also helped some to establish business and their shops are booming now,” he said..

He assured that he has plans to further empower his people in the subsequent years.

In terms of capital projects implementation, Hon. Nwobasi said that he has built and furnished six classs rooms block, ongoing construction of the Amuzu-Izo road, which, he said, would soon be asphalted.

Nwaobasi said, “Then, in terms of projects, I have also attracted a six-classroom block, which has been completed, and the desk has been completed. It was situated at the community secondary school, Oshiegbe.

“Then, in terms of infrastructures also, I think I have the ongoing Amuzu Izzo Road, which is under construction. It’s ongoing. I think they’ve done the gutter. So in no distant time now, they will come for the asphalt.”

Nwobasi further commended President Bola Tinubu for the economic policy he has rolled out, which has revamped the economy, improved security

He explained that President Tinubu has addressed the marginalisation outcry by the people of the Southeast by way of appointment of the people of Southeast into key government positions, like the Minister of Works, the inclusion of Southeast in the coastal highways and the fixing of numerous federal roads, stating that the people of Southeast are not marginalised under President Bola Tinubu.

“But as soon as President Bola Ahmed came in, in terms of appointment, he considered the Southeast, giving the Southeast the minister of works, which is first in history, which is one of the major ministers.

“Then, in terms of infrastructure, he has awarded roads, like this coastal road; he has awarded it in the Southeast, fixing some other federal roads in the Southeast. So, I don’t think the government of Bola Ahmed is marginalising the Southeast, as far as I’m concerned,” he stated.