Some Stakeholders of the Ukwa West Local Government Area, Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, last weekend, at Obehie, Asa, have commended their members for the confidence they have in the party, in spite of many challenges.

The commendations were made during a meeting convened by one of the Leaders of the party in the Local Government Area, Pastor Dike Nwankwo.

In his opening remarks, Nwankwo described the turnout as impressive, adding that it was a demonstration of the confidence the members had in the party led by the President of the country, Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that it became necessary for Stakeholders to meet so that the current developments in the party could be addressed, particularly the defection by the Abia State Deputy Chairman, Chief Adiele Ogunka John to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Nwankwo charged the members to remain unwavering towards the course of the party, stressing that he did not call the meeting to assume leadership of the party in the local government area, but to canvass for the unity of the party, especially as the State Congress was getting very close.

Speaking, a Leader in the party, Barrister Sam Ogbonna, said the defection of the State Deputy Chairman would not jeopardise the fortunes of the APC, pointing out that with unity and love the party would forge ahead no matter who leaves.

In his speech, former Chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, who recently defected to the APC, Mr. Ezedinachi Kanu, stated that it would always do the party a world of good to have people who are gainfully employed to be given the responsibility of running its affairs, adding that the choice of the current LG party Chairman was a good one.

Also speaking, Mr. ThankGod Ntaku, the Media Director, Sir Marc Wabara Campaign Council in the 2019 Senatorial election, thanked the Stakeholders for keeping faith with the party, emphasising that commitment and dedication would have their rewards in due time.

Ntaku harped on the need for mutual respect, which according to him, should be the key for the smooth running of any administration. He, therefore, called for support for the new Chairman, Hon. Temple Nwachukwu and his Executive Committee.

One of the highlights of the occasion was a prayer offered for the Convener, Pastor Nwankwo, who is contesting for the Chairmanship position of the party in Abia State.

Among those that attended the meeting included the former APGA candidate for the House of Representatives for Ukwa Federal Constituency, Mr. Eze Nwoloki, the Secretary-General of Asa Development Union, Dr. Iyk Ajuzieogu, former LG Women Leader, Mrs. Odochi Onuegbu, former Chairman of Chairmen, Ukwa West APC, Mr. Uchenna Nwagbara, and Dr. Ibe Ememe.

Mr Osita Okechukwu, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) has once again reminded the leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) of the imperatives of striking a merger with APC, in the Zikist Model strategy, to win the Nov. 6, governorship poll.

Okechukwu, who is also the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) told journalists in Abuja that APGA leaders should know that it is far better to be late than to be the late, insisting that APGA was on the way to losing its first governorship contest in Anambra after 16 years.

“It is for this reason that I wish to appeal once more to APGA leaders to explore a Zikist Model merger with APC for a guaranteed seamless victory in the Nov. 6 polls.

” In saying this, I know for sure that APC can win without APGA, but would enjoy seamless victory with a Zikist Model merger,” he stated.

Okechukwu had recently urged APGA leader to key into an all important merger, so as to kill two birds with one staone by joining the mainstream and paving way for the emergence of Nigeria President of Igbo extraction.

On speculations that APC was plotting a forceful takeover of Anambra through the institution of state of emergency, Okechukwu explained that a merger of the two parties would not only cool the political temperature, but will also moderate the environment and end up as a political masterstroke.

He recalled the history of political understanding between President Muhammadu Buhari and the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, stressing that it was in that spirit that Buhari assured Gov. Willie Obiano recently last week, that there was no cause for alarm as declaration of state of emergency was not on the cards.

“Whereas, I have my sympathy for the families of victims of banditry in Anambra and by extension Nigeria in general; however it is my considered opinion that we should repeat the cordial relationship between with Ikemba, Odumegwu Ojukwu and Buhari, when he led APGA to a political understanding with the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) led by Buhari. We can repeat this Zikist feat again, for it is better to be late than the late.”

He further recalled a similar political camaraderie in 2013, when a faction of APGA joined the merger of APC, adding that Buhari more or less saved Obiano from opponents of his re-election bid in 2017.

“So, as I said two months ago, the suggestion flows from the prism of pragmatic Zikist political model, which joins us with APGA. Pragmatism is the best strategy for Ndigbo to kill two birds with one stone, because if APGA fuses into APC, that will give APC three states in the South East geopolitical zone – a milestone.”

Okechukwu insisted that APGA was missing the point by seeking to remain as a big fish in a small pond of regional politics that has only earned it just one state in the entire federation.

“A merger will not only more than any other factor guarantee Ndigbo the presidential ticket of the APC; but it will safe APGA from likelihood of withering away, without tangible dividends of democracy for its followership. Anybody who watched Obiano in the State House, Aso Rock, closely will notice palpable panic.

“APC and APGA merger will stop this panic as a Win-Win Scenario,” Okechukwu reiterated.

Ahead of the 2023 general elections, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have led Nigeria astray for the past 21 years.

Speaking during a lecture organised by Kwara Visioners Network for Rural Development in Kwara State, Jega said the two dominant parties are becoming incapable of directing the country in the right way.

“The current two dominant parties – APC and the PDP – with their quality recruitment and leadership selection processes who have shared power and have tended to lead Nigeria astray in the past 21 years are becoming incapable of directing Nigerian political and governance processes in the right direction,” he said on Saturday.

“The dominant elites in these parties are self-centered, preventing the few good ones among them to be impactful. They are also fractious and quarrelsome and lacking even enlightened self-interest.”

According to the professor of Political Science, there is a need to create a special vehicle that can go into alliance and work together to free the country from the stranglehold of parochial and reckless politicians.

‘The Major Hindrance’

Jega also dismissed speculations in some quarters that he was joining the 2023 presidential race, noting that his mission was to contribute to positive change in politics.

While stating that he is a registered member of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Jega noted that he hasn’t told anyone he is interested in running for the position.

The ex-INEC Chairman also reacted to moves for the electronic transmission of results in general elections, criticising the National Assembly for downplaying its importance.

He said the constitutional provision that prohibits the use of technology is a hindrance to electronic voting, asking the lawmakers to remove the legal encumbrance for electronic voting to be possible in the 2023 elections.

“In fact, INEC has used it in some elections in parts of the country. It is a pilot scheme which all the stakeholders have been observing and said is good.

“The next thing is to remove the major hindrance in the use of technology because there is a constitutional provision which says that electronic voting is prohibited,” the former INEC boss explained.

“Many Nigerians who are in support of electronic voting are blaming INEC for saying it cannot use electronic voting. They have forgotten that there is a legal provision that says electronic voting is prohibited.”

Channels TV