Ejiogu surprises associates with ‘no rented crowd’ principle

APGA’s candidate in the forthcoming Imo state governorship election, Sir Tony Ejiogu, has reportedly told his political associates that he wants to run a campaign that will feature genuine supporters and true believers in his vision and not a crowd of rented praise singers.

According to one of the close aides of the Owerri-born politician, who pleaded anonymity, Ejiogu made this declaration during a meeting in the buildup to his campaign flag-off which holds on Thursday, August 31 at the All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Egbu, Owerri North LGA of Imo state.

According to the source, Tony Ejiogu insisted that his campaign flag-off is not a test of his popularity, nor is it a competition with the career politicians that he is contesting against. Rather, it is an event where he intends to share a vision with like minds regardless of social and economic status.

He further said that his emergence as the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate without bribing or paying anyone is an indication that when the people are presented with a true heart with honest intentions, they will offer their support freely.

He argued that several politicians have lost elections in the past, despite the huge crowds at their campaign rallies, and their claims that the masses were with them. The logic is that campaign crowds are never proof of the people’s support and most times they do not translate into votes.

Since his emergence as APGA’s flag bearer, Tony Ejiogu’s popularity has been growing fast among young people in Imo state because he represents a departure from the political class that has ruled the state for many years.

“Our people deserve better than being used and dumped. I place a higher value on my people than trying to buy them to support me to become governor. What will be the future of our vision for a new Imo state if all I do is to repeat those same practices that got us where we are now?” he reportedly asked his associates.

Our source added that he had become more convinced that Tony Ejiogu’s candidacy and modesty will challenge the culture of monetized politics in Nigeria as it represents a model for how visionary leaders lead.