Former chairman of the Interparty Advisory Council (IPAC) in Enugu State and the governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Barr Kenneth Ikeh has given insights into the preparedness of his party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The governorship candidate, who spoke in a chat with newsmen in Enugu also spoke on the need to trust the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on its readiness to execute her constructional mandate of conducting free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

He vowed that his administration in the state “shall stop at nothing in ensuring that the people of Enugu State get a better deal come 2023 general election.”

According Barr Ken Ikeh, his party is a national party, which believes in equity and has a presidential candidate in the forthcoming February 2023 presidential election.

“APM is a national party who manifesto emphasizes service to the people with integrity and sacrifice.

“We cherish equity and social justice but we cannot sacrifice service to the people, the greater good of the people to a straight jacket zoning system that obstructs the emergence of people of high capacity and competence in the struggle for power.

“APM believes in the ability of any dedicated Nigerian irrespective of tribe or tongue to give good leadership to any part of the country.

“Therefore, the APM has prepared herself for the 2023 general election as you can see from INEC publications in respect of Presidency and National Assembly positions.

“Gladly, APM is the only political party that fielded a woman as her presidential candidate in the person of Her Excellency, Princess Chichi Ojei, a prominent Delta State born politician and astute administrator”, he said.

He said that he has presented himself to the people to serve the people, saying “I have also presented myself to serve the people of Enugu State and we shall stop at nothing in ensuring that the people of Enugu State get a better deal come 2023 general election.

“In the nearest future, APM will unveil her campaign Council members who shall prosecute her National and state campaigns”, Barr. Ikeh revealed.

On his party’s structure, the APM governorship candidate noted that “On the issue of structures, I tell you with sincerity that a good wine needs no bushing.

“We shall criss cross the length and breadth of Nigeria and spread the message of a new Nigeria anchored on social justice, empowerment and economic growth.

“We shall regenerate the can- do spirit of average Nigerian and together we shall see a new Nigeria in 2023.

“APM, her members and teeming supporters are ready, eager and willing to do everything within the law to ensure victory at the polls” he said.

On contentious issue of zoning and balancing political positions, which has become a big deal in some political parties, considering that he comes from the same senatorial zone as the incumbent governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, his party does not have zoning principle enshrined in her constitution, but conscious of the provisions of Section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) do not enshrine zoning principle in her constitution. However, APM is conscious of the provisions of Section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is our conviction that every society must develop some peculiar feature to sustain social justice and equilibrium.

“All positions in the public service are not contestable. Therefore, if a credibly competent leader emerges, distribution of the common good will be done in a manner that will secure the loyalty of all the various component units that make up the polity.

“Due to the prevailing sense of entitlement and acclaimed support of the establishment for some candidates, the APM will spring up a healthy surprise and present hope for all those who have been victims of the injustice associated with zoning principle as we can see it destroying the older political parties.

“Honestly, the vast Nigeria youths will be happy to embrace a pragmatic, sagacious and performing president from any part of Nigeria to succeed the current president of Nigeria”, he said.

While speaking on the level of trust in INEC to execute a credible 2023 general elections, Barr. Ikeh said, “I will give you a YES and NO answer.

“This is because INEC established by Section 153(f) of the 1999 Constitution is a constituted authority with clear mandates as earlier postulated. Therefore INEC should be trusted to be ready to execute her constructional mandate.

“However, with the various reports and allegations of distortion of the Register of voters from Omuma in Imo State and the summersault by INEC that election will not be electronically conducted but only collation, it waters down the extent of trust on can place on the process.

“However, I advise all Nigerians to be vigilant in order to ensure that nobody plays with their intelligence”, he said.

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