A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Onyekachi Onyekwere, has called on the Igbo to shun ethnic politics and join hands with other Nigerians to support APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Onyekwere, a Lagos-based businessman and political stakeholder, urged the Igbo to avoid confrontational politics, saying they should position themselves at the centre of national politics in order to benefit from the opportunities available in the country.
Speaking with reporters in Lagos, Onyekwere specifically called on the people of Abia State to support the APC governorship candidate, Eric Opia, describing him as a young, vibrant and credible politician with no controversy surrounding his personality.
According to him, Opia is an industrialist with futuristic ideas and deserves an opportunity to transform Abia State.
He said the APC would not have presented Opia as its candidate if the party had not carefully considered his qualities and capacity to deliver good governance.
Onyekwere said: “We are seriously consulting and meeting people so as to sell our candidate because he is a good one. He has built a lot of industries for his people and created employment opportunities for many. He is also a philanthropist and, most importantly, there is no controversy around him.
“I heard a former governor of the state condemning the APC’s choice in the state and predicting victory for Alex Otti. It is a big shame because I did not expect this from him. He will be shocked at the end of the day because Eric Opia will carry the day.
“I know the former governor as a good politician. He will join us at the end of the day. My candid advice to the people of Abia State is to vote for Eric Opia and President Bola Tinubu. It should be APC all the way.
“Those making contrary statements are making defeatist statements. We want to win Abia State and people should not be deceived by telling them to vote differently.
“That is why I am advising my brothers not to play ethnic politics. Let us go ahead and vote for Tinubu and Eric Opia in Abia State. I don’t want Igbos to play confrontational politics.”
The APC chieftain also described the Imo State Governor, Chief Hope Uzodimma, as a “great man”, saying he should be positioned to provide stronger leadership for the APC across the South-East.
According to him, Uzodimma remains a major political leader in the region, adding that he had commenced consultations with stakeholders ahead of the governor’s senatorial ambition.
He said he was mobilising support for Uzodimma because of his belief that the Imo governor could emerge as President of the Senate in the next dispensation.
“Governor Hope Uzodimma is a great man. He should be able to control the APC in the entire Igboland. He is our leader. I am gathering people to start a serious campaign for his senatorial seat because I am sure he will emerge as the President of the Senate in the next dispensation,” he said.
Onyekwere further appealed to Igbos to work together and adopt what he described as “central politics”, rather than allowing ethnic sentiments to dictate their political choices.
“My advice to Igbos is for us all to work together. Play central politics and avoid ethnic politics. Igbos are very emotional when it comes to politics. Let us play politics that will help us and our children,” he said.
