The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South East on Thursday said it would work to win in at least three of five states in the region during the 2023 general elections.
The party’s South-East zonal caucus met at the Uburu country home of the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, who was adopted as APC’s Southeast leader.
Speaking at the meeting, Onu said the party would strategically reposition in the Southeast ahead of 2023 to produce no fewer than three governors.
“We are the only zone without a governor elected on the platform of the APC. Is that right? Is that correct? Is it what we want? So, we want a change. We have our best people representing us and the national working committee of our great party will be giving us good leadership.
“We believe strongly that by 2023, we should be aiming at a minimum of three governors elected on the platform of APC in the Southeast. We will have the majority of the seats in the National Assembly coming from the Southeast.
“We will also have the majority of the seats in the Houses of Assembly in our various states so that we will produce a minimum of three speakers.”
Dr Onu disclosed that support for President Muhammadu Buhari in the region increased during last year’s general election, compared to 2015, stressing that the party was better placed now to make a bold statement.
“The total vote from the Southeast may be the smallest, but if you look at the percentage increase between the two elections, the greatest among the six geopolitical zones came from the Southeast.
“This signal is reassuring and is telling all those who can look deep into matters that there is the potential for the Southeast to turn around and be the base of APC in the future.
“This we can do and this I believe, with the help of the almighty, we will do it. When we do this, there will be more opportunities for our members.
“We will not only be looking for appointments at the federal level, but we will also be getting those appointments at the states,” the former Abia State governor said.
APC last year lost Imo, the only state it controlled, to the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP). Four out of the five states in region are controlled by the PDP; Anambra is controlled by the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
APC regretted that the PDP was being credited with the Buhari administration’s achievements.
It added that low publicity was given to the APC-led Federal Government’s programmes, projects, and policies in the zone.
Onu said most of President Buhari’s achievements in the region were being downplayed by the PDP.
“Lack of adequate information and awareness of Mr. President’s achievements in Igboland has made the people believe that PDP leaders championed and brought them in the zone,” he said.
He urged APC leaders in the region to position the party for success in 2023.
“Our achievements are not known by the people. There are so many things the Buhari’s regime has achieved, but our people know little or nothing about them.
“This is why it appears the current Federal Government under Buhari has done nothing in Igboland. This must not continue.
“Think of the Enugu International Airport that the President released N10billion for its repair. We may not know the importance of this project until it is fully completed.
“The Minister of Aviation has given us his word that by Easter, the airport will be up and running. This will boost the economy of the Southeast, among other benefits.
“Think about the Second Niger Bridge. The President said he is not going to play politics with that project as the PDP government did in 16 years.
“So, let’s continue to sing our praises and let our people know what the government is doing for us in this zone. This is important so that the opposition party will not take our glory.”
“We believe very strongly that when we forgive, we are lifting a great burden on ourselves,” he said.
