Charles Odedo Resigns From APC

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From Chuks Collins, Awka

A new disturbing twist has just been added to the frosty relationship
pervading the All Progressives Congress(APC) tripod of Senators Chris
Ngige, Annie Okonkwo and Reps Charles Odedo in Anambra state,
yesterday with the sudden resignation of Odedo from the party. There
were strong indication that more people would follow his footsteps.

Charles OdedoMore so, this was coming at time the party was having the greatest
challenge in its acknowledged frosty relationship among the trio which
came to the fore during the recent Ward congress in the state.

The three party big wigs, all from Idemili South LGA had been having
easy political ride within the two councils of Idemili North and
Idemili South axis, but unfortunately were unable to neutralise the
magic of the immediate past Gov Peter Obi.

Because, the two councils has the highest number of approximately
400,000 out of the about 1.8m registered voters in the state, hence a
big attraction for political hawks in the state, any day. Little
wonder Ngige?s political opponents like Obi and Prof Dora Akunyili
repeatedly ensure that no voting or at least acceptable voting take
place in the area.

While Senator Ngige?s street popularity has continued to nose-dive,
Okonkwo and Odedo?s fortunes have clearly continued to wax stronger
each passing day.

Odedo who was rumoured to be eyeing the senatorial seat hitherto held
by Okonkwo but now occupied by Ngige, Okonkwo was said to be warming
up for a return while Ngige who is still challenging the governorship
victory of incumbent Willie Obiano.

Odedo and Okonkwo respectively have scholarship schemes that have
etched both of them firmly in the hearts of the citizens of the state.
But Ngige has none yet. Okonkwo and Odedo have at least two
outstanding projects within each of the constituting communities under
their constituencies.

In a telephone interview yesterday, Odedo confirmed that he has
resigned his membership of APC ?on personal reasons?.
Prodded further for his next move, the House of Representatives member
said he would take a long political holiday to ruminate on where next
to pitch his tent, or whether to return to the PDP where he initially
started from.

Political watchers believed his dumping of the party would not be
unconnected with the recent power show between him and Ngige on who
becomes the chairman of the party in Idemili North. Whereas Odedo?s
choice was Arinze Mgbemena from Ideani, Ngige preferred Edozie Mbaneme
from Uke. This, according to party sources was the only LGA where
Odedo attempted to make input. He was also reputed to be the fulcrum
on which Ngige rested all this while, in the area really.

Again, the interim state chairman of the party in the state, Chief
Amechi Obidike said to be cousin to Gov Obiano but have been so
committed to Ngige was said to have been short-changed in the on-going
crises ridden congress. Sources said it was only yesterday that Ngige
apparently having realized the party and its membership were
evaporating like a smoke before him that he started making frantic
phone calls, begging them to come back. But it was already too late.

In addition, yesterday?s congress was not approved by the party
headquarters and that was why Chief Obiora Igwedibia claimed he was
not aware of it.

Senator Okonkwo who is the deputy national chairman(South) in a
reaction said there was no congress going on. That whatever Ngige and
his followers were doing was not approved by the party.

It would be remembered that the ward congress of April 7,2014 was so
torn by crises that at least two members of the state congress
committee sent by the party
headquarters and led by ?Chief Ezennia Ogbuehi, including the
secretary, Chief Chijioke Owanta resigned in protest.

Every other effort to reschedule the congress with the new committee
set up by the party has failed.

Things have therefore been put on hold. Ngige was accused of not
carrying members along or appreciating their support and personal
sacrifices

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