The just concluded state-wide sensitization tour of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the unprecedented acceptance of the party across both the eastern region and Nigeria in general by various leaders as the party with the needed potentials to really wipe the tears off our people, give them a sense of belonging and bring prosperity and development to the people is a thing of joy, especially to those members of APGA who have long suffered for the party and invested in various Ways to keep it alive and strong to this day. The development in APGA that are attracting people from all parties in Imo State did not just happen. It is the collective effort of committed members under the national leadership of Dr. Victor Ike Oye and state leadership Sir Peter Ezeobi and their NWC and SWC respectively. APGA has now become a national party with a large following across Nigeria and has elected legislators in many parts of the country as well as a place in the leadership of the FCT-Gbagbalada council Area. I am convinced APGA has come to stay not only as a positive force in the Eastern region but also in the country. The new momentum in APGA is being experienced across all states of the federation. Especially in Imo State, there is no doubt that APGA is certainly going to from the next government in the state.
The recent LGA tours in the state has convinced everyone that sir Peter Ezeobi and his state working committee (SWC) are out to see that APGA is positioned to sweep the polls in the state. I pray them not to relent as a labourer is entitled to his wages.
They have made APGA to become Nigeria’s leading party and the fastest growing party in Africa. This is why many people in Nigeria are now calling for APGA to become the third force being championed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The need has arisen for APGA to take centre stage and assume leadership in Nigeria now that both PDP and APC have failed Nigerians. Our party leaders should not look at faces as 2019 draws near. This is no time to be sentimental which must not be allowed in polities.
I am convinced that those thinking that sentiment might see them through will surely be disappointed. Ezeobi is a man of integrity. So is Dr. Oye. They have promised all aspirants level playing field and have also stressed that APGA ticket is not for sale to the highest bidder. Rather the APGA leadership will put in place every necessary procedure or machinery to ensure that the best candidate emerges flag bearer at all levels.
APGA needs a man of no sentiment who will not feel above the party after winning an election. APGA needs a man who will work with the party and party members, not a man that would not take advice and see the mandate as belonging to himself alone. APGA is in possession of the Igbo mark of leadership (ofo) and it can only be given to a man who will not throw it away as was previously done by that government who pretended to be an APGA member only to throw away the Igbo mark of leadership (ofo) after winning the 2011 election. This is why I believe strongly that our problem in this state started in 2011 when we allowed a pretender to take hold of ofo ndigbo. Of course, he later threw it away and branded APGA a cultural organization. This man also described a political party as a kind of vehicle you board to a destination. On
reaching your destination you part ways with the vehicle. He saw APGA as a vehicle that conveyed him to his destination-the governorship seat. We don’t want a recurrence of such bitter experience. APGA members want someone with the spirit of APGA as their governor in 2019 as well as in other positions. Igbos have a common history and one mind and love for one another. It was that one mind and love that attracted the present government to APGA. But since he threw away the ofo ndigbo, Imo State has been like a rolling stone that has no direction and no focus.
APGA has to be careful about who holds this ofo ndigbo. Sir Peter Ezeobi and Dr. Victor Ike Oye must ensure a free and fair primary election. If this is done, it is certain that the losers will have no option than to give their whole hearted support to whoever emerges winner and in going on to win the governorship election. Imo State needs to be repaired. There has been much damages to every area of the polity and people are crying for relief. APGA has never had a better chance of assuming the reins of government as it is now. Imolites are calling for APGA to deploy its people-oriented manifesto to give them a new lease of life. They have suffered untold hardship in the hands of both PDP and APC and their heart cry to God is for deliverance from visionless leadership that they are currently enmeshed in.
To my conviction, the hour of honor is at hand for Sir Peter Ezeobi and Dr. Victor Ike Oye as the men who brought APGA to power in Imo State. Imo people would never forget them and would forever remain grateful to them as the Moses of our time who helped remove the yoke and burden of oppression on the people of this state.
