Why I dumped APC – Dickson Akoh finally breaks silence

National commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dickson Akoh who recently emerged the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Benue State ahead of the 2019 general elections, has bared his mind over the manner he was ‘used and dumped’ by his former party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Akoh made the revelation in a statement he personally signed and issued to journalists at his Abuja residence Wednesday 5th December, 2018 over the outcome of the Benue APC deputy governorship slot, a position he was tipped by the party leaders after the incumbent governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom, and his deputy, Engr. Benson Abounu dumped the party for the People’s Democratic Party, PDP earlier this year.

Akoh who said in the press statement that he has always endeavoured to toe the path of truth, honesty, rule of law and constitutionality, maintained that in all his dealings with fellow human beings and even his subordinates, he has always remained circumspect not to offend anyone.

“Recall that since 2002, I have been in the opposition even when less principled individuals have perfected the art of defection on the altar of opportunism. On this note, I have consistently been a member of the same opposition that transited through UNPP, All Peoples Party (APP), ANPP, AC, ACD, ACN which eventually metamorphosed into the current APC.”

He said he refused to denounce membership of the then opposition APC despite several harassments, humiliations and persecutions from successive ruling parties. “Even in 2014, when it was proposed that I be nominated as deputy governorship candidate of the APC, but was later denied in inexplicable circumstances, I did not allow that unfortunate development to deter me from supporting the party financially and otherwise. All because I believe in the APC, the nobility and righteousness of Mr. President’s political ambition that I and other like-minded individuals met regularly in my houses both in Benue State and Gwarimpa in Abuja where I invested my personal resources in hosting them to strategize on how our President can best realize his ambition in the 2015 General Elections. Senator George Akume, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Senator Joseph Kennedy Waku, the incumbent Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu and other relevant stakeholders in the State can readily attest to this.” Akoh narrated

He said to further underscore the solidity of his support for the APC, he majorly financed the President’s campaign in Zone C in Benue State and also to a significant extent, the entire Benue State; an effort he maintained can be confirmed from the Benue State Chairman of APC, Comrade Abba Yaro, and the National Secretary of the party.

Akoh maintained in the epistle that the result of his unparallel support for the President manifested in 100 per cent victory for the party in Zone C, Benue State, and the geo-political zone, including clinching the only seat in the State House of Assembly from Zone C won by the APC in his Adoka/Ugboju State Constituency where he did not only deliver his polling unit, but also his ward and the State Constituency to the party and to some extent other parts of Zone C, thereby rubbishing the over-hyped popularity of David Mark in the zone.

He lamented however that recent race to pick the Benue State deputy governorship candidate for the All Progressive Party (APC), of which he happened to be one of the frontrunners, ended in an anti-climax where, rather than anchoring on the his visible loyalty to the party, facts were misrepresented and distorted with several unbelievable insinuations swirling around in the public arena so much so that even his phone lines were bombarded with calls from top party faithful(s), supporters, concerned individuals and well-wishers. According to him, while some of these callers expressed profound displeasure with the treachery that attended the outcome of the contest, others wanted to know his next line of action.

“It would be recalled that my decision to bow to the series of pressures from the leaders of APC in Benue State to enter the race for the position of deputy gubernatorial candidate was informed principally by my belief that our dear Benue State is in urgent need of rescue. So, it was on that note that I decided to surrender myself as instrument to be used for that purpose under the platform of the APC.

What makes the issue really worrisome is that when I was asked during the screening exercise of all contenders for the deputy governor slot of which 13 of us participated, I made it abundantly clear before the screening committee that the only condition that I will not work for the party is if the ticket is given to an alien or if such candidate is imported.”

Akoh expressed consternation that the former Niger Delta Minister, Dr Sam Ode, who was eventually picked as the party’s deputy governorship candidate joined the party in 2016 after Goodluck Jonathan whom he (Ode) served as Campaign Coordinator in Benue State in the 2015 presidential election lost to President Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
“It may surprise Nigerians to know that this same person has never attended or participated in any APC meeting, except the one called recently by Chief Audu Ogbeh. In a nutshell, Dr Ode has not made any contribution to the fortunes of the Party in the State. However, on the contrary when Governor Samuel Ortom and his deputy, Benson Abuonu defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the APC was left like a flock of sheep without a shepherd, I, singlehandedly convened and sponsored several meetings in different federal constituencies to rally round all relevant APC members/stakeholders in Zone C, thereby ensuring that they kept faith with the Party.” Akoh added

He lamented that what the party did this time around is reminiscent of what took place in 2014 when it picked Dr Samuel Ortom and Engr. Benson Abounu, then both former PDP members as governorship and deputy governorship candidates. Regrettably, the major beneficiaries of this current exercise, Jime and Ode also joined APC in 2014 and 2016 respectively. “I make bold to say that a party that has no reward system for its loyal members is bound to fail.” Akoh declared

He further expressed concern that inspite of his consistency and enormous contributions to the electoral fortunes of these parties, he has never been rewarded or appreciated in any form, rather, he has been used and dumped.

“So, following the unfortunate development that trailed the exercise; as a grassroots politician, I have sought the face of God, consulted widely with my supporters and came to the inevitable conclusion that I need to move on to another political platform to actualize my noble vision for our people in the State. And that platform is the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

It is gladdening to note that the Party which knows my electoral value has offered me its platform to actualize my vision for the people on a platter of gold without spending a dime.”

Amb. Akoh who said his decision to dump the APC for the SDP does not mean he has kissed off his well-known stance as a principled man, stressed that tose who have been following the trajectory of his political life will readily testify to the fact that he remained a social democrat all these years, which explains his consistency in terms of party affiliations.

“It is rather sad to note that the APC, which I wholeheartedly supported in the 2015 General Elections and ensured the resounding victory of its governorship candidate in Benue State and that of our dear President Muhammadu Buhari, later turned out to be my Tormentor-in Chief. The APC Administration did not only deny assent to the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill, but also went ahead to seal off Peace Corps new corporate office located Opposite Jabi Lake, Abuja since 28th February 2017.
What makes this case particularly painful is that despite two valid Court Judgments declaring the closure illegal, the Police have refused to unseal it. Not even the two letters written by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to the Inspector-General of Police to obey these court orders would compel the IGP to reopen the office.”

Akoh urged his supporters, fans, admirers and even his adversaries to judge from the foregoing if anybody in his right senses will suffer this kind of unwarranted humiliations from any organization and still want to remain its member, declaring that he has since moved to find political fulfillment on another party platform.