Whereas, we, the concerned citizens of Nigeria and members of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) residing in the United States and Canada, have watched the unfolding situation within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with trepidation over the past few weeks;

Whereas, we have watched with umbrage as a band of lawless renegades, a cabal of sycophants, have sought to overthrow, to malign, and to destroy the legitimate Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, Ojeozi Ndiigbo, at the behest of, or in concert with, sworn enemies of APGA, with a wanton disregard for due process and fundamental notions of justice and fairplay.

NOW, THEREFORE, we, the concerned citizens of Nigeria and members of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) residing in the United States and Canada, cognizant of our obligations to Party and to Nigeria alike, resolve as follows:

1. That we are dismayed to observe that while other political parties are busy planning their strategy for 2007, certain elements within APGA have opted to delve into a meaningless, and ultimately self-defeating internal power struggle, which could only serve to weaken the Party and leave it vulnerable to the kind of massive election rigging and undemocratic irregularities that were visited upon APGA during the last general election in Nigeria.

2. That we recall for all Nigerians, and especially those now bent on destroying Chief Chekwas Okorie, the heroic effort made by Chief Okorie, against all odds, to bring APGA into being, and the fact that he has contributed in many ways more than any of his current detractors, to the advancement of APGA and all other opposition political parties and Nigeria in general.

3. That we recall for all Nigerians, and especially those now bent on destroying Chief Chekwas Okorie, the extraordinary pressures exerted by the enemies of APGA to ensure that Chairman Okorie’s efforts to establish APGA proved abortive and how Chairman Okorie stoically rebuffed those forces and persevered in his quest.

4. That we are convinced, based upon clear and credible evidence, that the ongoing attempt to forcibly oust Chairman Okorie was instigated, and funded, by those same forces who sought to thwart Chairman Okorie’s effort in the first instance.

5. That, guided by all the available evidence, our collective moral philosophy, and our commitment to fairness and due process, we wish to express our unequivocal solidarity with Chairman Okorie during this period insofar as he remains innocent until proven guilty.

6. That we condemn the barbaric and purported attempt by some members of APGA’s NWC to suspend Chairman Okorie or to otherwise usurp his mandate, based upon unproven allegations and fabrications, and we state categorically that Chairman Okorie remains the legitimate Chairman of APGA and will continue to enjoy all the rights and privileges associated with that important position.

7. That we call on all those involved, directly or indirectly, in the illicit attempt to malign, to overthrow, and to destroy Chief Chekwas Okorie, to cease and desist immediately in the interest of peace and unity, or face the consequences.

8. That we call upon other well-meaning Nigerians, who share the same ideals that we have, to rise up and join us in condemning the actions of the cabal and in expressing solidarity with Chief Chekwas Okorie, Ojeozi Ndiigbo.

Signed.

Onuoraegbunam Walter Adichie,
Chairman, APGA USA/CANADA

John Udo, Esq.
Legal adviser