By Praise Chinecherem
Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial on the platform of Labour Party (LP), Sen. Victor Umeh said he has forgiven those he referred to as enemies in the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) that plotted to terminate his political career on May 28, 2022.
He said he bore no grudge against anyone, particularly Governor Chukwuma Soludo who he said paid him back in bad coin after he had “campaigned vigorously for him, acted as collation officer for him in INEC and eventually delivered him as Governor”.
Speaking during his thanksgiving Mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Aguluzigbo in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Umeh who was Former National Chairman of APGA said he had handed everything over to God.
He however was full of gratitude to LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi over his prompt political rescue when his enemies planed to terminate his political career on May 28, 2022.
Narrating his ordeal following APGA’s denial of his senatorial ticket in 2023, the lawmaker said God used Obi to demonstrate his goodness in his political career despite his (Umeh) 10 years political estrangement with Obi.
He warned bad eggs to stay away from LP, describing the party as vehicle for members’ political journey.
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He said, “The party which Obi is now the National Leader is our own. I know practically everything about party politics having been APGA National Chairman for 10 years. If this thing going on in Labour Party continues, I will draw my dagger and that party will be quiet. Nothing will happen that will destroy the party.
“God works in mysterious ways. My 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 two of us will come together again.
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“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.
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“The governor of Anambra state presently, 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 being in Anambra. I’ve made my point and I want to say my Lord that having unburdened my heart, I bear no grudges anymore. Whatever anyone did badly to me, I’ve forgiven. Whatever God says will be, will be and no human can stop that.”
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The Thanksgiving mass was officiated by Cardinal Peter Okpaleke of Ekwulobia Diocese and con-celebrated by Archbishop Valerian Okeke of Onitsha Archdiocese and Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor of Awka Diocese.
