The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sly Ezeokenwa, has clarified that Bianca Ojukwu, despite her recent ministerial appointment by President Bola Tinubu, remains a dedicated member of the party.
Bianca Ojukwu, the widow of the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs during Tinubu’s cabinet reshuffle in October. Although she is not a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), her appointment has been hailed as a step towards inclusivity in governance.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today with Channels Television, Ezeokenwa, whose leadership of APGA was recently upheld by the Supreme Court, confirmed that Ojukwu has not resigned from the party. He explained that APGA had granted her the liberty to accept the ministerial role, seeing it as an opportunity to contribute to national development.
“Bianca Ojukwu remains a member of APGA and a Board of Trustees (BoT) member to this day. She took up the ministerial appointment as a loyal member of our party,” Ezeokenwa stated.
He commended President Tinubu for appointing individuals from opposition parties into key roles, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity in governance. According to Ezeokenwa, such appointments reflect a broader vision of engaging technocrats and skilled individuals from diverse political backgrounds to serve Nigeria effectively.
“I commend President Tinubu for this decision,” Ezeokenwa said. “As I have often advocated, the people capable of helping the president achieve his manifesto are not limited to the ruling party. Many capable technocrats belong to other political parties, and their inclusion strengthens the government.”
The APGA chairman highlighted that Ojukwu’s role in Tinubu’s administration is a positive development for the party, demonstrating that APGA remains a relevant force in Nigeria’s political landscape.
Despite leading an opposition party, Ezeokenwa expressed his desire for Tinubu’s administration to succeed, stressing that the welfare of Nigerians should always take precedence over political affiliations.
“Even as an opposition leader, my priority is the progress of Nigeria. If the president succeeds, it benefits all Nigerians, and that is what truly matters,” he said.
Ezeokenwa’s remarks underscore APGA’s readiness to support efforts aimed at fostering unity and addressing national challenges, irrespective of partisan boundaries.
