The plate has turned as Senator Uche Ekwunife defects to APC

Senator Uche Ekwunife, the former senator
representing Anambra Senatorial District
announced on Friday that she had defected to All
Progressives Congress (APC).
The senator whose election was annuled by
Appeal Court in Enugu on December 6, 2015, on
grounds of irregularities. The court ordered a the
Independent National Election Commission (INEC)
to conduct a fresh election in the zone within 90
days.
Ekwunife also confirmed her defection to
newsmen in Awka. She said:
"It's better now for me to join the APC. "Let
the heat be there; I am already on
campaigns for my return to the senate, to
complete my contract with contract with
the people of Anambra Central District."
Her full statement below:
"Today, I officially joined the All
Progressives Congress (APC)" her
statement reads.
"You will recall that the election which
returned me as your Senator was
mischievously cancelled. The reason which
the court adduced was that I was not duly
and legitimately nominated as the PDP flag
bearer for Anambra Central Senatorial
election in 2015.
I also wish to let you know that a Federal
High Court Abuja has Prior to this
judgement upheld my candidacy in a suit
filled by Chief Sylvester Okonkwo
challenging the validity of my candidacy.
But then, even if I were not the valid
candidate, the right thing for the court was
to declare whosoever came second in the
PDP Primaries as the authentic candidate
and thereby replacing me as it is purely a
party matter.
But the court which was FATHER
CHRISTMAS granted Victor Umeh what he
did not pray for, as his prayer was for the
court to declare him winner of the election.
The court which has before it enough
evidence that Umeh lost went ahead to
nullify the election on the basis of what
they called invalid primaries of the Anambra
State PDP. A reason which is not strong
enough to cancel the election in an appeal
filled by APGA and Umeh as other political
parties also contested in the election.
The questions remain:
i. How can invalid PDP primaries affect an
election which other political parties participated
in?
ii. Why should the invalid PDP primaries be a
source of granting Umeh who took me to court
the nullification of the election which other
political parties (which did not go to court)
participated in?
iii. Why was my own election the only one that
was canceled when the same invalid PDP
primaries produced other PDP Senators, Members
of the House of Representatives as well as State
Assembly Members?
My good people of Anambra Central, the outcome
of what we witnessed was a conspiracy between
some elements in PDP and the State Government
who were panicking over what they referred to as
my rising profile.
I am focused and my major concern is to bring
back the dividends of democracy to my people.
These I have done so far by:
i. Being the first woman to be appointed the
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum
Downstream.
ii. Sponsoring, moving and leading many Bills and
Motions on the floor of the Senate among which
is the motion on FLOOD AND EROSION DISASTER
IN AWKA, ISUANAOCHA, OBOSI AND OTHER
COMMUNITIES IN ANAMBRA CENTRAL.
iii. I also influenced and led the Senate Ad hoc
Committee to Anambra State to see and have a
first hand touch of what my people are
experiencing.
iv. Partnering with the Federal Government to
ensure adequate supply of petroleum products.
v. Assisted Seven youths to gain employment in
the Federal Service since I became a Senator six
months ago.
vi. Among others quite numerous to mention here.
Even after these minor setbacks, I advised PDP to
conduct primaries in other to produce a candidate
who will fly the party’s flag in the oncoming
repeat election, but since then, nothing
meaningful has been done as they are busy
creating more confusion in the party. A confusion
which will lead the party nowhere.
My good people of Anambra Central Senatorial
District; taking cognizance of these developments,
I took time to make wide consultations and have
decided to join the All Progressive Congress
(APC).
It is true some of us did not give our support to
APC in the previous election, it is true you voted
for me massively in PDP, but then my brothers
and sisters, that seed of confusion that militated
against PDP in the previous election is still
inherent and may not be of any good to any
people.
We Ndigbo cannot continue to be relegated from
the national bargain which we are co-owners.
This is the time to join forces with the Federal
Government to move our country forward.
I remain your amiable lawmaker, I remain your
dogged Senator, I promise to give you a much
better representation. Accept the assurances of
my best regards.