Obi blames Umeh for Obiano’s emergence as 2013 APGA governorship candidate

Urges support for Oseloka Obaze
The immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has absolved himself of circumstances that led to the emergence of incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano, as his successor.

Obi pointed an accusing finger at the immediate past national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh.

Umeh, according to him, imposed Obiano as APGA candidate for the November 16, 2013 polls in which Obiano eventually emerged winner.

He made the disclosure at Ezinihite, Aguata local government area, yesterday while addressing members of the Anambra State chapter of South-East and South-South Women of Substance Organisation.

Obi said the candidates to have succeeded him included the current Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspirant in the forthcoming November 18, election in the state, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, who was then Secretary to the State Government (SSG); industrialist, Dr. Chike Obidigbo; and Barrister Chinedu Idigo.

“At that time Umeh was pitched against some top members of the party who wanted to remove him as APGA national chairman. The governorship election was fast approaching and it became obvious to most of us that if we go into the election as a divided house, APGA would lose. We decided to make peace and work as a team.”

He said because Umeh had a predetermined agenda to impose Obiano as APGA candidate, he had used his position as national chairman to ensure Oseloka, Obidigbo and Idigo never emerged as APGA candidate.

Regretting that people could blame him for having campaigned for Obiano, who is governor today, he urged the women to vote for Oseloka Obaze, stressing that Obiano had failed the state.