Commentary: APGA Convention, To Whom Much Is Given

WRITTEN BY TIMOTHY IFEDIORANMA

Members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, were sworn- in recently to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years, following a flawless National convention of the party held in Awka, Anambra State. Hitherto, the ward, local government, state and zonal congresses of the party were conducted, culminating in the national convention,

The National Chairman of APGA, Chief Dr Victor Ike-Oye and the National Secretary of the party, Mr. Labaran Maku, who is a former Minister of Information, were returned.

Other members of the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee were returned unopposed.

The ceremony was performed in the presence of thousands of Delegates drawn from the thirty-six states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory and the Diaspora branches, signaling the unity of purpose of the third largest political party in Nigeria.

The National Convention also reconstituted members of the Board of Trustees, which includes its Chairman, Governor Willie Obiano, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Professor Charles Soludo and Iyom Bianca Ojukwu. Other members of the Board of Trustees are Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Junior, Chief Anthony Enukeme, Major-General John Gbor, Dr Uju Okeke and twenty-three others.

The process of the congresses from the wards to the State, the zone and then the National Convention were adjudged, by the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies, as transparent and peaceful. Thus, the outcome is an indication that the party, led
by Ozonkpu Dr Ike-Oye, is not only visionary, egalitarian and transparent but is also democratic in nature. Chief Ike-Oye has proved on many occasions that he is determined and focused in bringing out the best in whatever task that is given to him. He has excelled in all the major assignments committed to his hands. He is among few Nigerian politicians who can stand tall in the polity, with legion of landmark achievements in his political, economic, social and personal life.

This is just as the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Governor Willie Obiano, Akpokuedike Global and Amo Ogun of Ekiti kingdom is a leader who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. Governor Obiano is a political and administrative iroko that cannot be hidden in the forest.

He has carved a niche for himself as an exemplary and selfless leader who loves his people to the extent of sacrificing his personal comfort for their good.

Hence, Anambra is the most peaceful state, where investors are trooping to catch a glimpse of the business-friendly environment created by the governor.

Anambra workers have long testified to Obiano’s magnanimity and friendly disposition to them as they receive their salaries before the end of every month wherwas their counterparts elsewhere are gnashing their teeth over arrears of unpaid salaries, hence, Ndi Olu Anambra nickname him the alert governor.

Other sectors of the economy are not less affected. Governor Obiano touches them all – agriculture, infrastructural development, education, roads and bridges, health, trade and commerce, environment, children, youth and women empowerment, rural development, light up
Anambra state, community choose your project initiative and many more.

These are the crop of genius APGA faithful have chosen to lead them.

The duo manifested exceptional leadership qualities in managing what prophets of doom and political jobbers had predicted as dooms day for the party.

However, Obiano and Ike-Oye’s manipulative ability and knack for probity, excellence and continuity catapulted APGA to the zenith of political maturity, dexterity and competence. In view of these, in no distant time, more people will join the party as they see its emerging new light.

Expectations of the party faithful and indeed all true lovers of democracy are for them to work towards developing APGA beyond its present state. The officers should see their re-election as a call to duty.

They must ensure that APGA will continue to win elections till they take over the center stage of the country’s political life.

During their tenure, they must work harder to ensure that APGA continues to have landslide victory in elections across the nation.

The new APGA leadership must continue to invest in the party’s progress and shun personal gains.
This is because, to whom much is given, much is expected.