The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has defended comments made by Anambra State Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, who recently declared his support for President Bola Tinubu because of the president’s bold steps on the economy and structural reforms.
National Publicity Secretary of APGA, Okpara Ejimofor, explained during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Monday, that Governor Soludo’s remarks were being misinterpreted and should instead be viewed within the context of the party’s history and guiding principles.
“There are two factors that you could put into proper perspective for you to understand clearly the context or the import of the remark of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. First, he openly declared that he’s been a long-standing friend with Mr. President and the relationship has dated over two decades. That’s on one side. Then the other is that APGA has maybe a written convention. And what does that convention say? APGA supports the party at the center.”
He added that such alignment should not be mistaken for weakness or opportunism, but rather as part of a broader debate about embedding ideology into Nigerian politics. “It’s not out of place if parties that align according to their ideology, work together,” he said. “So to the extent of parties aligning in terms of what they represent within the context of their ideology, then the ultimate purpose is for Nigeria to be better than we met it. And the ultimate purpose is for us to have a country that works for.”
Ejimofor emphasised that APGA’s focus remains on improving the lives of Nigerians, particularly the underprivileged and the youth. “If it’s about having a country that works for everyone, having a country where the children of the poor can aspire and become whatever they choose to become that is legitimate, having a country where people can have access to health, where young people can have access to quality education, graduates and youths can have access to a livelihood where they can fend for themselves and be able to live their life and actualise their destinies, then that’s exactly where you would find APGA and that’s exactly what we represent,” he declared.
The spokesman maintained that the party’s ideological stance was to support policies and partnerships that advance national development, regardless of political divides. He insisted that critics should present alternative visions if they oppose such collaboration.
Melissa Enoch
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