TheCable

Joe Igbokwe, special adviser to the governor of Lagos state on drainage and water resources, says there is no leadership crisis among the Igbo leaders in the state chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Speaking at a press conference, he said only three leaders of the group left, but the members are still in unity and committed to the mandate of the ruling party.

He said his agemates have been governors, ministers, senators and presidents in the country, so he has no need to fight over the apex leadership of Igbo in APC.

“There are no factions in Ndigbo APC in Lagos. We are about 17 leaders in the ad-hoc committee set up for the purpose of 2019 election. Only three members left. You cannot call that a faction,” Igbokwe said.

“There is nothing like apex leader of Ndigbo in APC Lagos. It was just what we used to organise our people in Lagos. Only one leader in the group started calling me apex leader. It is not an official title. As the leader, I am satisfied with what I have, being the publicity secretary of the party for 12 years, serving government since 2005.

“My age mates have been governors, ministers, senators, even presidents. So, what am I doing with apex leader of Ndigbo in Lagos? I’m a June 12 activist. We fought for June 12. I didn’t get to this position I am today by mere accident. I’ve used my body to face bullets in the days of the locust.

“Ndigbo APC in Lagos is strong. We’ve been consistent. Our investment here is too much; so, we need to work with the government of the day to get things done. What our people have in Lagos, they don’t have a quarter of it Igbo land. I’ve been here since 1985, so I know what I am talking about. We have huge investment in Lagos. We are all Lagosians. All my children were born here.

“Our people are still voting PDP and we have been trying to woo them to come to APC. They have not been able to move away from the defeat of 2015 and 2019. It has been difficult for us to convince them to come into APC. If they had come to APC, we can negotiate for Igbo presidency. You cannot be in PDP and expect APC to give you the platform. You need to play a better politics.”