APGA Guber Ticket: The “David and Goliath”

DR. HARRIS CHUMA-ODILI, FCMsp 

The Anambra Governorship election scheduled for November 6, 2021, has set the political events revolving around major political parties in the state. In All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA, the intrigues surrounding who emerges as candidate appears to be deepening. 

According to those who claim to understand the body language of the powers that be, and decision makers in the APGA party, Prof Chukwuma Soludo had appeared ready to take the party’s flag in the primaries, but, lately the intrigues within the party have choked him out. The move to impose any Gubernatorial aspirant has been kicked against vehemently by democrats in the APGA party, and have been jettisoned; the move to co-opt, rattle and force the party stakeholders to believe that the APGA leadership cadre had endorsed any candidate was also jack-booted, and thrown out of the window; the sinister plot that saw some unsuspecting Government appointees aggregate under one roof to sign a referendum was rejected, torn to shreds, and dissed by the party’s brave hearted loyalists who dared the proponents to a wrestling bout. 

The latest ‘Maradonic’ dribble of subjecting all Party Ward Chairmen to sign a document endorsing Prof Soludo was aggressively challenged and discarded by the real lovers of the APGA, men and women who stood against the desperate attempt at trading their conscience, dignity on the alter of unholy political patronage, defective partisan innuendos, and wanton rhetorics.

As it stands, the APGA “Goliath”, Prof Soludo, would have sailed through the tides without worries, but APGA is not, and cannot be PDP, where a man with the highest connect with “Abuja Lords” snatches guber tickets, fluke like a faulty aircraft and land-crashes at the polls. In the APGA, the stipulated democratic principles would apply, the party members,stakeholders, and leadership should be on the same page in any given events. The political energy needed to fight against opposition elements should not be dissipated trying effortlessly to impose anyone on the people, the ticket must not go to anyone unchallenged, uncontested. 

Without mincing words,the coast is increasingly becoming clearer ahead of the governorship primary election. And from all indications, critical permutations, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo has been, apparently favoured, despite the odds to clinch the ticket of the APGA at the party primaries. The “David” of the APGA, will no doubt get the positive nod of the real party faithfuls, who would rather have him as the best choice candidate largely due to his astute leadership qualities, unblemished records, adjudged electability, and acceptability. 

Nwankpo’s delectable mein, civility, and humility is self evident, his respect for the party structures, leadership and constitutional principles have endeared him to the APGA party loyalists, and foot soldiers. Unequivocally, The  governorship ticket appears to be hanging between the Goliath(Soludo) and David(Nwankpo). However, speculations are rife that the group pushing the Goliath are running helter skelter with agreement Forms obtaining cosmetic endorsements under duress, and have concluded plans to move for the disqualification of the “David” of APGA following his rising popularity amongst the party people, and across all divides, and platforms. The plot has been designed to deny the David access to Nomination Forms by the superimposers. I will advise that they should not be wary about David and his almighty catapult. Such desperate move should be put under check. The story is rather funny, indeed. 

Tension has been building up within the APGA ahead of the Governorship primary election in the light of the impending fallout between the Cabal pushing the Goliath and literarily the underdogs supporting the David. Following this development the party leadership, should not be distracted with the antics of the former. The APGA leadership should ensure a level playing ground for the David and Goliath, conduct a free, transparent and credible primary to select its governorship candidate. 

Ekenem!