Tony Nwaka for Reps

THOSE WHO MOCKED ME FOR JOINING APC ARE NOW MEMBERS. – Ex-Delta Commissioner

By
Matthew Ochei

A former Commissioner for Education in Delta State, Dr Tony Nwaka, has said those who criticised him for joining the All Progressives Congress more than four years ago, including former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, have now joined the same party.

Nwaka, who served in the administration of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, stated this in a statement on Friday while reacting to the recent defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor, Okowa, and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state to the APC.

He recalled being mocked and pressured to leave the APC after he openly campaigned for the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

He said, “It was the only APC billboard flying across both wings of any road in Asaba, the capital of Delta State. That was sometime before the 2022 primary election of the APC, preparatory to the 2023 general elections.

“The caption on it was ‘YOU KNOW ME, I KNOW YOU, which later became a common refrain within jovial conversations. I had similar billboards at the junction of the airport, Ibusa Junction, Cable Point, Midwifery Junction, and other locations.

“They were the only APC banners flying across the capital territory of Asaba before the primary election in 2022.

“I was mocked by some people! ‘ Hahaha! See Nwaka, he has joined APC’, ‘Nwaka has started carrying a broom,’ ‘Is he not ashamed? His billboards are the only APC banners in Asaba.'”

“What did I not hear? Some relatives will even call me on the phone and say, “Tony, my brother, don’t you think you’ve made a big mistake? Please go and remove those APC banners and return to PDP.”

Despite criticism and even the removal of some of his campaign materials, Nwaka said he remained resolute in his decision to remain in the APC, even after losing the election and being overlooked for appointments.

“You can imagine my joy today, when I now drive around Asaba and see APC flags, banners, and billboards flying across every nook and cranny of the city. Is God not wonderful?” he asked.

Nwaka, who is also a former chairman of Aniocha South Local Government Area, urged politicians to remain focused even when they appear to be alone, saying the future is determined by divine purpose, not popular opinion.

Happy Worker’s Day!

Here’s to the doers, the thinkers, and the builders.

Your passion, resilience, and dedication make the world move forward.

You are seen. You are valued. You are celebrated.

Signed:
Dr. Tony Ide Nwaka

DO YOU REMEMBER THIS BILLBOARD?

It was the only APC billboard flying across both wings of any road in Asaba, the capital of Delta State. That was sometime before the 2022 primary election of the APC, preparatory to the 2023 general elections. The first one in the attached images. It was located at Annie Supermarket, opposite GTBank, on Nnebisi Road.

The caption on it was, YOU KNOW ME, I KNOW YOU, which later became a common refrain within jovial conversations. I had similar billboards at the junction of the airport, Ibusa Junction, Cable Point, Midwifery Junction, and other locations. They were the only APC banners flying across the capital territory of Asaba, before the primary election in 2022.

How much I was mocked by some people!

"Hahaha! See Ide, he has joined APC."
"Nwaka has started carrying broom."
"Is he not ashamed? His billboards are the only APC banners in Asaba."
"The main election has not even come, he is wasting his money on billboards."
"And he chose APC, of all parties."
"He has retired himself from politics."

What did I not hear? Some relatives will even call me on phone and say, "Tony, my brother, don't you think you've made a big mistake? Please go and remove those APC banners and return to PDP."

But I persevered. I had made up my mind. A voice kept telling me. "Stay focused on your new path, even if it means standing alone. Don't remove those banners. Let the billboards be the lone voice shouting openly in the centre of the city."

Remember also that, at a time, even the billboards were being removed by unknown persons. Yet, I was not deterred. Even when I eventually lost in the general election, and pressures came again for me to return to PDP, especially as appointments were flying about the place and my name was not being mentioned, yet my spirit kept telling me to remain focused and not lose faith.

You can imagine my joy today, when I now drive around Asaba and see APC flags, banners, and billboards flying across every nook and cranny of the city. Is God not wonderful?

LESSON: Always dare to try. You never know! Don't be discouraged by conventional wisdom and prevailing circumstances. You might just, unknowingly, be setting off a chain of historic events. The future is ever in the womb of the divine. Man can throw the dice, but only God can determine the outcome.

GOD BLESS YOU AND WELCOME TO THE GREAT MONTH OF MAY.

THE MORE THE MERRIER AS GOV. SHERIFF OBOREVWORI ENLARGES THE APC FAMILY.

So, finally, the day came. The reign of PDP in Delta State is over. H.E. Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, has moved into APC with the formidable machinery of government and the generality of PDP membership.
Coming in the heels of the earth-shaking entry of the DUG barely two weeks ago, one cannot but marvel at how sweeping the victory of our dear President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be in 2027.
Equally significant is the disruptive interparty hostilities that would now give way to a harmonious approach to the affairs of governance, which, logically, would enhance effective service delivery to the segment of society that matters the most; THE PEOPLE.
Accordingly, I heartily amplify the voices of our state chairman, Elder Omeni Sobotie, and the leadership of APC Delta State, in welcoming our governor, H.E. Sheriff Oborevwori and all the former members of Delta State PDP to our great party, APC.
The future beckons and the political horizon couldn't be more radiantly promising as the APC grows from strength to strength.
May God continue to animate our supplications with the abundance of His benedictions.
Kindly accept the assurances of my highest esteem.

Tony F.E. Nwaka, PhD.
Author and 2023 APC House of Representatives Candidate,
Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency,
Delta State.