WRITTEN BY VICTOR IKE-OYE
The present crop of the national leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, is two years old in office. In my inaugural speech on the occasion,

I promised to reconcile aggrieved members of our party and build on the solid foundation laid by our predecessors. We are thankful to God that today we can, at least, with some measure of surety, say we have fulfilled a reasonable percentage of our promises.
We have travelled the tortuous path of our nation’s political landscape with unremitting commitment – unfazed by the darts thrown at us by our detractors and adversaries. Though not unexpected, we are, however, pained that despite the long years after Nigeria’s independence, the political class has continued to conduct itself untowardly. The lack of political ideology, savvy and will has made it significantly clear that our politicians still suffer from amnesia. Why have refused to grow with the times? Why have we refused to tolerate one another and play the game according to its laid down rules?
As a political party, APGA has distinguished itself from the pack. We have exhibited a high sense of duty, tolerance and humanity in the management of the affairs of the party. This is not withstanding the excruciating liabilities thrust upon our shoulders by the nation’s unflagging economic and political downturns. In any case, we have marched on, undaunted in the belief that, someday soon, our nation and its people will regain their lost pride – going by the efforts of the present regime to rewrite the chequerd history of Nigeria.
One significant feature of our two years in service of our party is the steady growth in membership across the country. It is gratifying that it is this growing popularity that has attracted flaxes from those uncomfortable with what is happening in our party. We could not have been where we are today if we had not worked as a family and carried one another’s burden in prayer.
There is a beautiful synergy between the past and present as we administer the party. We have warded off the temptation of allowing our personal differences to divide us. Rather we have leveraged our experience, ingenuity, sagacity and candour as we trudge on.
Our focus has remained to continue to build the party, from where our predecessors stopped, into a formidable national party where every member, irrespective of creed, race, status, or any other mundane considerations will feel free and save to express himself or herself without fear, let or hindrance.
We cannot attain the goals we have set for ourselves as leaders and following if we failed to imbibe the tenets of our democracy, foster peace and mutual understanding, eschew bitterness, rancour and unbridled divisiveness. We owe our party and nation untainted patriotism and loyalty in the way and manner we conduct ourselves and deal with one another.
We are aware of the biting economic conditions in the country, but we urge all our members to remain steadfast and undaunted. We should continue to give support to the government in its effort to revive the depressed economy and decayed infrastructure. We salute our members that have stood stoically behind us in spite of the pressures from some quarters. They will be rewarded in due course for their fidelity and steadfastness.
We wish to, nevertheless, state unequivocally that we are ready for the Anambra State Governorship election scheduled for November 18, 2017. We express confidence in the ability of INEC to conduct free and fair election in the State. We find it nauseating when some politicians arrogate to themselves powers they do not have. They are free to make any kind of claims, but one thing we can assure them is that nobody can rig that election. 
We align our party with the scholarly presentation by erudite Professor Chukwuma Soludo that ‘if something is not broken, why mend it?’ Governor Willie Obiano has performed creditably, winning numerous awards to attest to it. We encourage him to continue to work very hard for the good of Ndi Anambra. We condole with him over the death of his mother. We pray God to grant her soul eternal peace in heaven. He should be rest assured that the party is solidly behind him and wish him well. We call on all our teeming supporters rattled by the current developments in the party to remain calm and shun resort to self-help. Those working against our party do so in vain, because God is our help and our fortress; in him only we trust. We admonish such persons to sheathe their swords and collaborate with us to take APGA to its destined position in the comity of political parties.
We urge the Federal Government to take further measures to tighten security across the country and alleviate the sufferings of the people who daily grapple with the rising cost of living. The leadership of our great party is intact, untainted and unflappable. We are committed to building a party that generations unborn will be proud of. All our members owe the party and nation a duty to contribute our little quota to make them great.
Since APGA has grown into a household brand, it is wise that all men, women and youth of goodwill joined us to move our democracy forward.
We pray God to grant President Muhammadu Buhari quick recovery and our nation lasting peace and prosperity. Long live APGA! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

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