APGA ratifies Obiano’s Appointment as Leader, BOT Chairman

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has  ratified the appointment of the  governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano as the Leader and Board of Trustees Chairman of the Party at a Special National Convention of the Party, held Wednesday, at the Women Development Center, Awka.

The ratification of Obiano’s appointment followed a motion moved by the Oyo State Chairman of APGA, Deacon Samson Olaleye and seconded by his Anambra State counterpart, Chief Akunwata  Mike Kwentoh.

Article 25 of APGA Constitution which was amended and adopted at the Special National Convention approved that a person can hold two positions at the same time, thus paving the way for Obiano to assume the dual role of the governor and Leader/BOT Chairman.

In a similar vein, the delegates at the Special National Convention approved APGA’s adoption of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the Presidential Candidate of the Party, similar to what obtained in 2011 when the party threw its weight behind the candidacy of Jonathan as the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Dr. Alex Otti, APGA Gubernatorial Candidate in Abia State
welcoming Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State to the
Special National Convention held by APGA in Awka...Wednesday

The ratification of the adoption of Jonathan as APGA’s Presidential Candidate followed a motion moved by the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke and seconded by Alhaji Musa Adamu, State Chairman of APGA in Bauchi.

In another development, the tenure for the extension of offices held by APGA officials at all levels was extended by 120 days, not beyond April 2015 in view of the clash of the Party’s National Convention with the general elections in February in 2015. This followed the motion moved by Peter Ezeobi, a lawyer and seconded by Mohammed Yusuf, BOT member from Zamfara seeking for the extension through the Transitional arrangement adopted by the Party.

Earlier, Hon.  Harford Oseke, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, representing Awka South 2 constituency had moved the motion, seconded by Hon. Vivian Okadigbo, member of the State House of Assembly (Oyi) for the amendment of the Constitution of APGA, change of the party’s Motto from “Be Your Brother’s Keeper,’’ to “Be Your Brother’s and Sister’s  Keeper,” and the creation of Office of National Leader of the Party.

Speaking on the choice of governor Obiano as the Leader and BOT Chairman, National Chairman of the Party, Chief Umeh stated that “Obiano has demonstrated hunger to make APGA a great party.”

Addressing the delegates, governor Obiano noted that he was humbled by his appointment as the National Leader and Chairman of the BOT, noting that “Most men live out their lives without ever knowing what it takes to provide leadership beyond the narrow confines of the family.”

Said he; “Fellow party faithful, in choosing me to provide leadership for our great party, you have made a bold and courageous decision to move beyond the crossroads of doubt to a whole new era of hope. So, I welcome this great responsibility with a quote by the foremost African-American novelist and critic, James Baldwin who once said that “There is never time in the future in which we will work out our salvation. The challenge is in the moment; the time is always now.”

Governor Obiano pointed out that the “the time to carve a new pathway for Nigeria has finally come, “ and  drawing from the past struggles of nationalists  that gave birth to political independence, he pointed out that his new portfolio is “the beginning of march to re-possess the front-row of the new struggle to remake Nigeria.”

“Time and time again, experience has shown that it takes only a few determined men and women to change the course of history. I am determined to provide the quality leadership that will galvanize this great party to assume the fullness of its height and set the tone for a new Nigeria. I count on your support to achieve this,” he thundered.

Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State welcoming
Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, Nigerian Ambassador to Spain to the Special
National Convention held by APGA in Awka...Wednesday

Speaking further, he said, “Fellow compatriots, like all political movements, APGA has gone through different stages in its life cycle. Happily, we have progressed through the dark periods of uncertainties and self-doubt into the sparkling rays of a bright new day. Today, our fundamentals are stronger and our chances are brighter. I must thank all faithful members of this movement who have evolved through moments of uncertainty to the days of hope. In an environment where loyalty is fluid, it is almost a labour of love to maintain fidelity to one political party.”

Governor Obiano also applauded the sacrifices made by the past leaders of the party who laid the foundation that he had been called to build on, and specifically paid tributes to his predecessor, former governor, Peter Obi. He also lauded the National Chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, who he said had along with his team been able to hold “this great family together through the various spells of turbulence. We are here today because you people stood firm through the years, against all odds.”

The governor noted that “Our great party has made a grand entry into a new phase of growth,” especially with the quality of membership that has seen the emergence of  Dr. Alex Otti as APGA candidate in Abia State, former Minister of the Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho in Imo State as well as Chief Anthony Agbo in Ebonyi State.

Furthermore, governor Obiano dwelt on the speech delivered by Dr. Otti at the Aba Recreation Club last week and the credibility of Iheanacho, stressing that he knew from the emergence of Dr. Otti that  “Ndi Abia finally have a chance to be great again. I also saw in that speech a great future for APGA and for Nigeria. With people like Otti and Iheanacho, our ship is finally ready to sail.”   

Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, APGA Gubernatorial Candidate
in Imo State welcoming Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State
to the Special National Convention held by APGA in Awka...Wednesday

On the party’s recent primaries, Governor Obiano noted that in every contest, that there were bound to be winners and losers, “but in APGA, there are actually no losers; what we have are people who have been asked to try another time. Of course there are complaints and silent protests. No electoral process supervised by man can be devoid of that. However, under my watch, APGA shall continuously strive for perfection in our electoral processes. We shall continue to evolve internally and externally. Internally we shall improve on our fundamentals and strengthen internal democracy that will inspire loyalty to the party. Externally, we shall be more vigorous in the projection of our ideology through responsible and responsive governance.

On the forthcoming general elections coming after the party’s primaries,  governor Obiano said ”it should be clear to us that we must fight together and win as a team. Consequently, all complaints and protestations arising from the just concluded primaries must be settled with ease. While it is pertinent to remind you that there can only be one winner at a time, let me assure you that all genuine cases of grievance shall be given a fair hearing. We can hardly afford to carry our grievances and discontent into the coming days of intense political campaigns. All wounds must heal and heal very fast. Our internal cohesiveness is a pre-condition for victory at the polls. APGA must win the coming race together in all available elective positions across the country except the Presidency. But even so, we shall still win because we shall not only vote for President Goodluck Jonathan but we shall work to ensure that he wins the Presidential Election.”

He charged them to go into the new year with their heads held high up, while campaigning for APGA victory in the coming elections, observing that the party had recorded  “one or two defectors but we have absorbed thousands of defectors from other parties. The beauty of this development is that this party still retains its inner core. That is enough to build on. And that is what we have been called upon to do.”

In attendance at the APGA Special National Convention included the Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Chief Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, his son, Emeka Ojukwu junior, former Deputy Governor, Chief Emeka Sibeudu, Senator Alphonsus Ubanesse Igbeke, Retired Captain Iheanacho, Chief Agbo, Dr. Alex Otti, Chief Dubem Obaze, Anambra South Senatorial District candidate, Chief Augustine Ndigwe, BOT member,  Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka and Chief Willy Ezeugwu.