In an interview, Usani, a former chairman of the party in the state, said: “Before the elections, I made deliberate and conscious efforts to woo some persons whom I knew we could midwife to victory into the APC. But such persons, apparently feeling that they would be automatic winners if they got the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) tickets, rebuffed my overtures and went to wrestle in the PDP. Now, tell me: are you talking about those who used all their might against APC?
“I had, at no point, refused anybody membership of APC. Where a man comes, because he lost an election in the PDP or any other party and begins to insinuate that there were no persons in APC, this is not fair to the foundation members of APC. As the state chairman of the party, I owed my party men a duty to protect them and fight for their benefit.
“How does it feel for a man who ate and broke the pot to immediately go to another man’s cooking pot and want to even be dished food ahead of those who have been patiently waiting and persevering starvation, when the food has been prepared?
“I still maintain my stance, which is that benefit should be served first to those APC members who have suffered and worked, because anything short of that will be a betrayal of the resilience and hard work of those who hoped when others scorned and some despised. This was also the maiden pronouncement of the President (Muhammadu Buhari) after last year’s election.
“Let the so-called ‘no names’ be known. For example, I was the Personal Assistant (PA) and commissioner before I became 35. It means there are many talents untapped in APC that we can harness. This is because out of the conviction displayed in their resilience, this group has the integrity to drive this government’s agenda and ideology.
“I tell you sincerely: strengthen a small name with character and watch him become a giant.”
Usani urged APC members in Cross River State to unite and make any leader accountable.
He said: “Let them unite and be able to call any leader to accountability. They should be able to speak out through all known civil media. They should be able to take collective positions and speak same without intimidation by any leader, without fear or favour.
“They should also resolve to individually and collectively ensure to live the ideology of APC. They should ensure to win elections even as they complain daily about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in Cross River State Nigeria.”
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