Recalling Obiano’s Colourful Ascension to the APGA Throne

  

Wednesday December 17 2014 was a special day in the life of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA).

 The occasion was the special national convention of the APGA held at the Women Development Centre Awka, Anambra State.

Delegates numbering hundreds had converged at the convention venue for the event slated to start at 10am.

They came from all over Nigeria, North, South, West and East, comprising the country's six geo-political zones, without exception.

As early as 9.45am, the massive hall was filled to the brim, and over-flowed to the expansive lawn of the centre.

The party's captivating montage mixed with tunes in Nigeria's major dialects blared to high pitch, to the gyration of the mammoth gathering of party faithfuls, waiting patiently for the commencement of the "fiesta".

Anxiety rose when at about 2pm the host, Governor Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh and other party stalwarts had not turned up.


Undeterred, party men and women waited patiently, engaged in lively discussions and pleasantries.
Thunderous applause welcomed the arrival of Chief Victor Umeh, followed by other party big wigs.

Chief Umeh calmed the nerves of the gathering when he explained that the delay was to allow for the arrival of the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC), statutorily mandated to watch the convention.

According to him, the arrival of the INEC team was delayed by flight cancellations caused by bad weather. They were therefore constrained to travel by road, he explained.

Soon after the INEC team arrived, the triumphant entry of Governor Obiano and entourage, including the widow of the late APGA leader, Ikemba Nnewi, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, electrified the convention to pitch level, setting the stage for this mother of all conventions.

In the matter of the Board of Trustees and National Leader of party, the National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh noted that part of the reasons for the convention to adopt the party's constitution, was to pave the way for one person to hold the position of Chairman/Leader and another.

He persuaded that the amendment would formalize the combination of Governor Obiano's position as state Chief Executive and also leader of party.

When the question was put, there was a thunderous yeah without any dissention, showing the overwhelming popularity of Governor Obiano among his party members.

Chief Umeh explained that the appointment of Governor Obiano as leader and BOT chairman was informed by his zeal, capabilities and determination to move the party to higher pedestal.

He enumerated the sterling achievements of the governor within such a short time since assuming office, and said the elevation will even encourage him to do more.

Customarily, Chief Umeh called for a minute's silence in respect of the party's fallen leader and hero, Ikemba Nnewi which saw the multitude on their feet in a solemn quietude.

The minute's silence done, Chief Umeh concluded in a high pitched affirmation, that the party was now set to get to great heights.

He confirmed the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan as the party's presidential candidate in the 2015 elections, but stressed that APGA would field candidates for the other positions.

He said the decision followed President Jonathan's proclamation of support for APGA in respect of late Ikemba, to ensure that his sterling political dreams did not die.

He prophesied that the APGA was on the threshold of becoming the beautiful bride of Nigerian politics.

Mounting the stage in his first official engagement after his ratification, Governor Obiano handed over the party's flag to its governorship flag bearers across the nation to go and win.

He reaffirmed the party's adoption of President Jonathan as its presidential candidate for 2015, stressing that the party will field candidates for the other positions.

He promised to uplift APGA to greater heights in the country's new political equation.

No doubt, the new APGA BOT chairman and leader is on his way to reposition the party to the enviable position of the beautiful bride as the great Zik's Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP).

With the present political devolution in the country, one-party monopoly is on the precipice, presenting a promise of fairer and stiffer contest.

The warning by the outspoken "warlord" of PDP's presidential campaign outfit, Professor Jerry Gana at the party's fund-raising recently cannot be under rated. Professor Ghana had warned his party (PDP) not to take anything for granted.

He said that the party's sixteen years in power could serve as a disadvantage, as they have the task of giving their stewardship of husbandry of power to Nigerians.

This is the major ingredient of democracy; not hanging on to power at all costs, but being able to account for the use of power according to the dictates of social contract, which empowers the people, whose power is held in trust by the political class, to recover same, if dis-satisfied.

The power equilibrium is more dynamic if there are divergent opinions, giving vent to people's passions coagulated in manifestos and programmes of political parties for "sale" to the electorates.

It is healthy for Nigeria to have divergent political opinions, especially as we approach the crucial year of 2015.

The Igbos needed a platform and voice to take its dignified position in Nigeria.

This was the situation in 1979 when the great Zik of Africa took the bull by the horns and used the NPP to bargain for the Igbos.

The same reason informed the late IkembaNnewi, undisputed hero of Igbo people in hoisting the APGA.

No doubt, those two master strokes put the Igbos in very good bargaining positions.

Governor Willie Maduabuchi Obiano possesses the qualities to lead Igbo people to the promised land.

With his disarming charisma and oratory, he easily fits into the shoes of the great Zik and Ikemba.

His effervescence of new- breedism predisposes him to energy, courage and dispatch. His record quite so early as governor recommends him as a patriot and achiever.

Let us give him the full support he needs to save the Igbos from political servitude.

Hail the new BOT chairman/Leader of APGA and Igbo leader, Governor Willie Maduabuchi Obiano, Akpokuedike Ndi Igbo!

CHIEF CHUDI ANYAEJI WRITES FROM OKIJA, IHIALA LGA, ANAMBRA STATE