Emotions ran high yesterday in Awka, Anambra State as some All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) women from Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency wept profusely as their representative in the House of Representatives, Uche Ekwunife, announced her decision to quit APGA and return to her former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The women grabbed Ekwunife and pleaded with her to remain in the party, where, according to them, she had made reasonable mark in the lives of members.
Ekwunife had invited the ward and local government executive members to a meeting at her campaign organisation headquarters, in the state capital, where she addressed them on her latest political move, urging them to continue to pray for her.
She thanked the party men and women for their support for her, adding that she hadgiven them good representation, just as she had been able to give them a voice at the National Assembly.
The lawmaker, however, said political party being a vehicle to achieve a purpose, she had decided at this time to leave APGA to continue to pursue her political career.
She said: “I call you to let you know that it is time to leave the party. I don’t want to be in a party and I will not be happy. This is the first meeting I am calling to announce my exit from APGA. I am leader of APGA caucus in the House, we are five, but four of us have left APGA.”
Her announcement raised questions and comments from party members, who pleaded with her not to leave but to make room for reconciliation.
But Ekwunife replied: “I am not quarrelling with anybody. However, I won’t be a fool again and no one will fool me again. For those who are asking where to go, if you don’t know where to go, follow me and you will be happier.”
Speaker after speaker, begged the lawmaker not to quit APGA, which they saw as Igbo party, with some volunteering to mediate in whatever that might have caused her decision.
Meanwhile, the party yesterday summoned an emergency meeting with the four members and the governor to see how to stop their movement.
Disclosing this to newsmen yesterday, the Deputy State Chairman of the party, Chief Ifeanyi Udokwu, said the development had given the party sleepless night as it was unprecedented in the state.
Udokwu said the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh might cut his overseas trip short to come and handle the situation, just as Governor Willie Obiano, according to him, had started discussion with the lawmakers.

Women weep as Ekwunife quits APGA for PDP