APGA ANAMBRA GUBER PRIMARY 2021: THE PARTY NEEDS TO BE FIRM

I decided to write this with every sense of respect and zeal as an officer of the party in Anambra State Working Committee (SWC), to ensuring the survival of our great party, APGA, even after the forthcoming governorship election scheduled for November 6, 2021.

Our dear sagacious and dependable National Chairman, Ozonkpu Dr Victor Ike Oye, as the man driving the wheels of the party, should look inwards so that the light that was handed over to him, will be passed unto another while shining brighter. 

Yes, the party guidelines for the primary election is yet to come out. We have seen the schedule of activities in that regard, but have not seen the electoral guidelines as at date. 

What is happening in the party today, calls for deep reflection! It’s obvious that some persons, who are regarded as highly esteem party stalwarts, do not put first, the overall interest of the party but their individual interest. This is quite unfortunate and terrible! 

A situation where some member(s) of the Board of Trustees of our great party, APGA, who are constitutionally members of the National Executive Committee (NEC), take to the streets to publicly endorse an intending governorship aspirant, calls for great concern. Moreover, It is worthy of note that as at today the 4th day of May, 2021:

1. The party’s electoral guidelines for the election is not yet out 

2. No member of the party as at date, has purchased either expression of interest or nomination form for such position, not to talk of having to be screened by the screening committee of the party.

3. Even when the National Leader of the party, who also is the Governor of Anambra State has Not publicly made known his choice of successor to the National Executive Committee and/or National Working Committee of the party, as at date.

This calls for deep concern! 

It is more worrisome hearing statements such as “…Peter Obi and I put Willie Obiano as Governor, now Peter Obi has left the party…”. A statement that gives no recourse or credence to the hard works of the serving National Chairman and members of the NWC of the party that produced the reelection of the governor vie a 21 over 21 victory.

Now, where is the internal democracy of the party? Has it been murdered? 

With what am seeing, there are no more confidence on the personalities that constitute the Board of Trustees of the party because of the selfish interest some of her members exhibit by these unwarranted endorsements at this stage of the process that is ongoing. 

What concerns me most is the manner at which the name of our National Leader is been used for these endorsements, when His Excellency has not publicly personally inform his Exco and the Leadership of the party in Anambra State about who he feels the party should consider as his successor.

Are these actions not seen as absolute desperation? 

The onus now lie’s in the hands of the National Working Committee (NWC) headed by the APGA National Chairman, Ozonkpu Dr Victor Ike Oye. All eyes are on the NWC for the survival of the party and the hope of the common party faithful in the grassroots.

Yesterdays can never be today, and today can never be tomorrow! 

I will gladly advise the NWC of APGA to take the bold decision in doing the right thing! In the history of the party, I have never seen what is happening within the party today, happened before. The “Generals” are gradually shooting self in the battle field for selfish personal interest! We really need to watch it because we still need them in the battle fields!

Let me finally say once again what I know and is recommended for due considerations and implementation, as the party prepares for her Anambra governorship primary election this year 2021.

1. The electoral act prohibits political appointees from participating in any Congress or Convention of the party. They shall not be seen anywhere close to the venue of the Congress. 

2. While constituting the Congress Committee, Screening Committee and/or Appeal Committee of the party with regards to the primary election, NO MEMBER OF THE PARTY FROM ANAMBRA STATE shall function as a member of these committees. The records are obvious to people like us who have witnessed three State congresses where a governorship candidate of the party emerged. Eyes are watching, and we must continue to get it right! 

3. Members of the Ward Executives of the party in the 326 wards of Anambra State were elected in a duly organised Ward Congress that brought them on board. Amongst them, should be considered for the three-man elected delegates to participate in the Special State Congress for the purpose of nominating a candidate of the party, after which they shall cease to function as “Elective Delegates to Special State Congresses” after the conclusion of the Congress for which they were elected.

Conclusively, I keep you, who is reading this piece now, with the words of Michael Johnson that says “If you truly want to be respected by people you love, you must prove to them that you can survive without them”

APGA must not die…I see my future in it! 

NCHEKWUBE, TONY DUNGA (Ezesinachi Amansea)APGA Auditor General, Anambra State.