As Ubah And Ekwunife Join The APC
Posted on December 6, 2023
I must confess that the APC Anambra is the luckiest party chapter in Nigeria, in every election it fumbles yet remains the beautiful bride in each election cycle. Why aspirants find it attractive would need to be studied by social scientists. Nevertheless, I heartily welcome the Senator representing me at the Senate, Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah and the humanist politician whose human capital development is second to none, Sen. Uche Ekwunife to our great, the APC. Even though I am on political sabbatical, the APC remains my party and I still murmur silent prayers for it daily- that they get it right and return Nigeria to the path of prosperity.
The hope of every Anambra APC member is for the party to win an election in the state as this is the only way the stunted political careers of many would bloom. I am sure that many members of the party are ready to do what’s necessary to make it happen.
As I welcome the two heavy-weight entrants and their supporters into the party I would like to drop some cautionary advice
1. Federal Power will fail: for the past two election cycles, the APC strategy has always been to depend on federal powers to do the job. I was a firsthand witness in the year 2017 and 2021. The strategy begins and ends with plans on how to write election results and with no penetration into the grassroots except for last-minute attempts to buy votes. This has to change. Federal power will never work in Anambra. The APC Anambra must find a way to compete for and win the hearts of Ndi Anambra.
2. Transparency is Key: The 2021 election was one the party thought it could win. Eighteen worthy aspirants vied for the party ticket and in so doing activated the grassroots activities of the party. For once, it looked like the party was getting it right at the grassroots, then boom, the primary results were written and the party began a long decline that it’s yet to recover from. This lesson should never ne forgotten
3. Previous victories don’t guarantee victory in the next one: in this party, Tony Nwoye who is famed as a grassroots general lost an election against a governor everyone felt was at his lowest ebb at that time. In this party, Andy Ubah who’s renowned as an election wizard lost. Reputation means nothing here, hence it should not get to the head of anyone. All battles must be fought and won on a new slate.
4. Strategy is the Key: for nearly a decade that I have been in Anambra APC, the party has never had any defined strategy. They go to all elections depending on luck with no prior preparations. Forget the lavish meetings that are never productive. If the Anambra APC must make an impact, it must have a clearly defined plan, covering all the 21 LGAS and 326 wards. The goals must be SMART( pun intended) and should be evaluated regularly. Luckily, there are about two years to do this.
5. APGA is a Slippery opponent: Never overestimate the party, it has a way of surviving all attacks. To win, the APC must get into their skin and play like them( The church, community and traditional institutions ). It should also be factored that the APC no longer exist in many wards in Anambra. Ward executives are also members of other political parties and always support the one with more resources. I am sure many wards have not called a meeting in a year.
Once more I welcome you to the APC Anambra, a party where we build long-term friendships with each other.
– Obi Trice Emeka a contrarian writes from Awgbu in Orumba North LGA, Anambra State.
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