From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The Senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, has warned trouble makers causing division and strife in the Labour Party (LP) to desist in order to reposition it for greater success in the next general election.
Umeh, who spoke yesterday in his country home, Aguluzigbo, during a thanksgiving Mass to mark his successful political journey from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the LP, recalled the battles he fought and the travails he went through when he was blocked from flying the senatorial flag of APGA during the 2023 general elections despite having served as the party’s national chairman for 10 years.
He said when all odds seemed to be against him in his political journey with his chances foreclosed in APGA, God intervened and made it possible that he reconciled with Mr Peter Obi whom he had been in political stripe with for 10 years.
He attributed the success recorded in his eventual journey to the Senate to the grace of God and the enormous goodwill of Obi whom he described as his brother.
“God works in mysterious ways. This victory was made possible through the immense goodwill of my brother, Peter Obi. I started my political journey with him in 2001, fought all the battles with him, he triumphed, we triumphed too until the enemies of progress came in and separated us, but after 10 years, God said, against the wishes of people and men, that the two of us will come together again.
“When I was returned as the party flag bearer, I made a speech and it is on record that I said that above all things that God has done for me, none is greater than the reconciliation I’ve achieved with my brother, Peter Obi. This is because my disagreement with him was uncalled for at the first instance. It was the handiwork of some people who put spanner in our wheel of progress.
“The incumbent governor of Anambra State, I was totally involved in his campaign, acted as his collation agent in INEC, delivered him as governor before the ugly development happened. If what happened pleased God, I wouldn’t be here today, but it did not please God. Ingratitude is a cardinal sin and it is important I said this so that you can know my stand. I’m not against anybody, but in the house of God, what is not proper should be described as what it is. So I’m appealing to all of you to be focused because we need leadership that is combined with good work and empathy towards fellow human beings in Anambra.”
The thanksgiving Mass was presided over by Cardinal Peter Okpaleke of Ekwulobia Diocese, and co-celebrated by Archbishop Valerian Okeke of Onitsha Archdiocese and Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor of Awka Diocese.
