A presidential aspirant from Imo State, Chief Iheanacho Ezeakor has formally joined the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance, APDA.
Ezeakor was over the weekend accompanied by his supporters to the national secretariat of the APDA in Abuja, where he obtained his membership card.
He was received by the national chairman of the party, Shittu Mohammed Kabir, who assured that the Party will not enter into any pact with other political parties or groups ahead of the 2019 general elections.
Ezeakor had earlier in his speech hailed President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration for a second term, saying it would boost his chances of winning the 2019 election.
He said with Buhari’s declaration, the All Progressives Congress, APC, which he accused of non-performance, had already been defeated in the election.
The presidential aspirant added that there was also need for youths to build inter-ethnic bridges to cross-fertilise ideas on ameliorating the sufferings in the land and avoid mistakes of the past.
“Today, we have been able to mobilise and motivate some young people across the country for a political renaissance because we realize that the reason older politicians looked down on the youths in political appointments and elective positions had to do with how the youths conducted themselves.
“However, we are poised to changing that story. We will continue to be a voice for the youths and set laudable examples in our states,” he said.
He had earlier told journalists that “with Buhari’s declaration, our job has been made easier. I said this because we are far better than him. It would have been a different thing if the APC had presented another person.”
On his own, the APDA chairman, Kabir, who noted that the economic woes experienced in the country was caused by the errors of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples’ Democratic Party as well as the ‘third force’ champions, said the Party’s nationalistic ideologies cannot be compromised for selfish benefits.
He said: “APDA is not going into any coalition ahead of the 2019 general elections. We cannot be seen compromising our ideology which is nationalistic.
“We already see Nigeria as one big family where the welfare of all citizens remains paramount. Against that backdrop, we cannot be seen queuing behind the PDP, the APC, or those promoting the ‘Third Force’ movement.
“These people brought the hardship in the country. Olu Falae as far back as the 1980’s masterminded the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) that ruined our agricultural sector.
“I am a farmer. I grow beans but I cannot export to Europe because Nigerian beans are banned abroad. But, today, beans are brought into this country from Europe. Then, tell me, why did they sign us up to the World Trade Organisation in the first place?
“Look at the oil from the South-South and South-East. How has these politicians advocating for coalitions and mergers used that crude oil to better the lives of the people in those areas?
“So, our position is clear. We are not going into any alliance. However, we are open to all Nigerians who want to join us in the pursuit of our people-oriented ideology.
He further urged the youths to resist politicians who attempt to polarize the nation and heat-up the polity needlessly.
“You should never allow our political leaders to continue in power by means of ‘divide and rule’ antics. Rather, develop passion for people and work to achieve a better life for them. That way, you can successful take over helm of affairs of the nation from these old politicians,” he said.
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