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.
