The first interim chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Imo State, Chief Romanus Egbuladike, has described the coalition move to unseat President Bola Tinubu as a distraction and a plan “dead on arrival.”

He stated this in an interview with South-East PUNCH in Owerri on Monday.

“In 2013, we had a coalition of political parties under the National Merger Committee. About five political parties sacrificed their identities to form the APC, which later won the election and took power from the Peoples Democratic Party after its 16 years in office,” Egbuladike recalled.

He argued that the current coalition effort “does not hold water” because it is neither properly structured nor all-inclusive.

“Tinubu has only spent two years in office. His reforms are beginning to have positive impact on citizens. Prices of foodstuffs are going down; they are not skyrocketing. Reforms come with peace. Let’s give the president a chance to concentrate on delivering good governance to Nigerians.

“With the way they are talking about coalition, it is as if Tinubu has stayed in office for 20 years. He has only spent two. If they are forming a coalition at this stage, it means they are either pursuing personal interests or do not have the country at heart,” he said.

Egbuladike, a founding member of the APC, also commended Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for completing the Awo-Omamma Junction–Okwudor Road in Oru East LGA with modern streetlights.

He urged the governor to further boost the area’s economy by approving the construction of the 2.5km Nickben Road, which links Eziawo 1, Awo-Omamma, Amiri and Attah. He also applauded Uzodimma and the Oru East State Constituency lawmaker, Chigozie Nwaneri, for refurbishing the Daraocha water project in Umudaraocha community, which has brought relief to residents.

On the Imo Charter of Equity, Egbuladike stressed that it was designed to promote fairness in power-sharing but should not be seen as automatic.

“The Charter of Equity is good because it brings justice, but it is not automatic. Power is not given, it is taken. If Owerri Zone wants to produce the next governor in 2027, it must work with Orlu and Okigwe zones and also field a credible candidate. Imo people are more interested in voting for competence than zoning.

“Nobody will carry the governorship seat to any zone. The Charter of Equity is not constitutional; it is simply for peace to reign. Owerri Zone must build bridges and present a marketable candidate,” he said.

Egbuladike further commended Uzodimma for paying the new N104,000 minimum wage, describing the decision as “a bold pronouncement” that has spurred other states to begin salary increases for workers.