The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chekwas Okorie, has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against wasting over N350bn earmarked for the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
He said the warning became necessary following INEC’s posture towards the Supreme Court verdict which declared Edozie Njoku the authentic national chairman of the party.
APGA has been enmeshed in power tussle leading to factions led by Edozie Njoku and Victor Oye, respectfully.
But Okorie at the unveiling of his running mate, Hadiza Mohammed, on Wednesday in Abuja, urged INEC to do the needful without further delay.
According to him, “The 2023 general election to which over N350 billion of taxpayers’ money which has been appropriated by the National Assembly must not be put in avoidable peril.
“The onus is on INEC to ensure that Nigerians do not turn around to hold the electoral body responsible for truncating the 2023 general election by willfully excluding lawfully recognized APGA from participating in the elections.
“Should this unfortunate and forewarned calamity befall the nation, the repercussion shall threaten the very existence of corporate Nigeria. May God forbid it.
“It is written in Hebrews 11.1, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
He explained that the party has strove on faith and conviction, stating that “APGA is a product of three attempts to give Nigeria the first truly political party based on progressive ideology.
“Without faith there will not be APGA today. APGA has produced many leaders who are making contributions in Nigeria’s political scene.
“Chief Edozie Njoku, the National Chairman of APGA has proved himself to be a man of immense faith and conviction as well. If it was not for this special attribute of his l would not be here today as presidential candidate of a political party l founded 21 years ago.
“It is out of faith and conviction that all genuine leaders and members of APGA today believe that in spite of the machinations and intrigues of human beings which have resulted in what is obviously a late entry into the democratic contest for the 2023 general election.”
The presidential candidate further said the opposition party will surprise detractors by its performance in the upcoming poll.
Okorie described his Vice Presidential Candidate as “an accomplished personality with sound education and varied academic exposure.
“She is an employer of labour who
At the event, APGA equally unveiled the Director General of its Presidential Campaign Organization, Jonathan Elendu.
Elendu, a publisher, author, poet and public affairs analyst would be tasked with ensuring that the party’s success, few weeks to the election proper.
