The protracted leadership crisis rocking the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) took a new twist yesterday as the factional national chairman of the party; Alhaji Sadeeq Masalla made a U-turn and declared support for the faction loyal to governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, saying he made the sacrifice to save the party from crisis.

Massala was the deputy national chairman, north and until yesterday was the acting national chairman of APGA appointed by factional National Working Committee, NWC, on July 16th, 2012 to battle the leadership of APGA led by Chief Victor Umeh.

He was conspicuously absent at the Saturday national caucus of the party in Abuja, where former national chairman of the Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Barrister Maxi Okwu and Alhaji Sanni Shinkafi were elected as Acting National Chairman and Acting National Secretary, respectively.

Masalla said he has reverted back to his former position as the Deputy National Chairman, north of the party in line with the outcome of Saturday's meeting.

"I the immediate chairman of APGA, Alhaji Sadeeq Masalla, after reading the judgement of the Court that removed the entire executives of APGA, support the meeting of the National Caucus of APGA that agreed they will not appeal the judgment.

"As at the time I was invited to the Saturday meeting, I asked for the judgement to give my personal lawyer for advice, but nobody gave it to me. Feeling that it was a case of using me to perpetrate illegality, I kicked against the move and didn't attend. However, I got the judgement on Monday's night. Having read it and having been advised by my lawyer on the import of the judgement, I accept it, realising that the National Caucus had acted within the letters and spirit of the judgement and should be commended. I have reverted back to being the Deputy National Chairman, North of the party. I see this as a sacrifice for the good of the party," he said.