Nigeria's former chief of army staff Lieutenant-General Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd) on Tuesday, February 16 officially defected to the country's governing party - All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ihejirika was Nigeria's army chief between 2010 to 2014 under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He has been rumoured to be preparing to join partisan politics in his home state of Abia for over a year.
The Nation reports that Ihejirika, 65, announced his decision to join the APC at his Isuikwuato country home in Abia-North senatorial district.
His joining the party has ended speculation that he wants to join the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and has as well, heightened the speculation that he might be running for the governorship seat in the state in 2023.
The leader of the APC in Abia state and chief whip of the Nigeria Senate, Orji Uzor-Kalu has also reacted to the formal entry of Ihejirika into partisan politics.
Senator Kalu applauded the decision of the former army chief to join the party, adding that Ihejirika’s decision is a result of the internal democracy in APC.
His words:
“General Ihejirika’s decision to join us today in the APC is no doubt a great one and I must commend him for taking the bold step after over a year of convincing him to join the party.
“He should be assured that his membership of our party will be a very fruitful one. I am loyal to the party this is why I have always subjected myself to the party’s decision-making process.”
Disclosing his reasons for joining the APC, Ihejirika said that he’s coming into politics by joining the APC is to contribute to the progress of the party at the state and national level.
He added that having served in the army for almost 38 years, he has gathered sufficient experience to contribute to the democracy of the nation and the fortunes of the party.
His words:
“Having served almost 38 years in the military, I am convinced that it will be a waste of experience for me to remain outside government activities.
“This is because I have a lot to offer and assure you all that I will operate an open-door policy, I will also learn fast.”
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