National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East, Dr Ijeoma Arodiogwu, declares in this interview with DAVID LAWANI that his party will take over the remaining states in the region due to the underperformance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors. He also talks about the expectations of the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee of the party
You just emerged as a member of the National Working Committee of your party, what are you bringing on board?
In 2023, as a party, we expect to have a resounding victory in the southeast. My job is to deepen the stronghold of the party in the whole of the southeast. And I know the stakeholders that recommended me and ensured that I emerged, know that I have the ability and the wherewithal and strategy to deliver more success for APC in the whole of South-East.
We target at least to take more states. The important thing is that most of the political leaders and opinion leaders in the southeast are already in APC. But the problem is that these efforts and kinetic must be put together to yield results. These potentials have to be put together to yield movement and build victory for the party. And I can do so, and I have started.
A lot of people see the consensus that brought you on board as anti-democratic. Is it the best for the party?
The consensus is in the party constitution. And it is only when we cannot use it that you go for voting. And that is what happened. In some positions, we went for voting. Some aspirants refused to step down despite the plea by leaders. I believed the leaders came together and decided on how it will go. And that was how it went. The consensus saves us a lot of rancour. From lots of disunities. From lack of success that our detractors hope will befall the national convention. So, it was a very successful national convention for the APC. But I will advise other leaders most especially elected ones like the state party chairmen, and zonal chairmen to reach out to the aggrieved people. Like I have called some on phone. And the need for them to come back to the mainstream. Because most importantly I will not tolerate any form of distraction that will lead to the failure of the party. I want results.
Should the aggrieved aspirants refuse to join the party, what will the party do?
They all step down willingly. Nobody was cajoled or forced to step down. The party promised everybody that step down a refund of his or her nomination fees.
Are you not worried that the chairman and secretary of the party are both former Stalwart of PDP?
Political Parties have evolved over the years. That, someone, was here today and sees that the ideology of APC is more favourable especially after seven years in government compared to the 16 years of misrule of PDP. I think they took a wise decision. And we have to embrace them. Because they are all great men and women.
What efforts are in place to reconcile all the factions in the South-East?
I have called all the factions and their leaders in the various states. And I have decided to meet with them this weekend and I believed we will make success. Because everybody wants a successful election in 2023.
APC is currently holding two states in the South-East, is there hope that the party will expand in the 2023 election?
We will achieve more. If I don’t get more states for APC in the South-East I will feel personal that I have failed. So, we will get more states. We will take over more. And they are willing to join. Because the PDP governors in those states are not doing well. So, we will bring good candidates and win the remaining states.
What is your view about the Igbo presidency considering that three leaders of the region have declared to contest for President in 2023?
It is a two-way thing, but it is a party decision. The party will take a democratic route to achieve that. We are not at the bridge yet. The outcome will unfold in the next few days or weeks at the primaries.