By Isidore Nnopuechi
When Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, says he has no challenger in the November 8 gubernatorial election it is easy to understand because his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is a way of life for Ndi-Anambra. In truth, the Anambra electorate knows of no other party, or parties.
More than the other Nigerian political parties, APGA is in fact a movement, especially in Anambra State. The party is structurally built from the grassroots to the topmost level. The bottom-up structure is APGA’s greatest recommendation.
Starting from when it was registered in 2002, APGA has organically become a rallying point for progressive-minded politicians with the set goal of a discernible paradigm shift from the old order. APGA thus represents the necessary disruptive change that can transform Nigeria and her politics for good.
When the highly revered Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Ikemba Nnewi, joined the party and became the presidential candidate, it leveraged the profile of the new party that had hit the ground running. The party became the destination of all the people in need of progress and the much coveted dividends of democracy.
It’s in the course of meeting the needs of the people that APGA within the 23 years of its existence became a movement, a way of political life of Ndi Anambra. The party has within this period of unstinting development captured the heart and soul of the people of Anambra State, the acclaimed Light of the Nation.
Governor Soludo has added new vistas to the delivery of quality dividends of democracy for the people. As the quintessential APGA torchbearer, Soludo is a class act in the discharge of democratic duties and responsibilities.
The winning of the governorship election in Anambra State is seen by Ndi-Anambra as almost a birth-right for the APGA candidate. The re-election of Governor Soludo is a walkover, as attested to by the three senatorial zones of the state after crowning Mr. Governor as “Oluatuegwu”, that is, “Man wey no dey fear work.”
Governor Soludo is leading his irrepressible party to conquer new grounds through his landmark achievements that are too numerous to recount here. APGA in truth belongs to the people, serving veritably as “a brother’s keeper and sister’s keeper.” The party is anchored on the foundational philosophy of “Onye aghana nwanne ya”, which translates to, “Let no one leave his sibling behind.” As a welfare-driven leader, Soludo remains the personable anchor-man.
The party is the acknowledged darling of the people who always rise up in praise-song anytime APGA is mentioned by restating: “Nke a bu nkanyi”, that is, “This is our own.” The people have ever since taken ownership of the party. The essence of APGA runs in the blood corpuscles of the populace. APGA is in the DNA of Ndi-Anambra.
There are uncountable reasons to retain Anambra State as APGA land with Governor Soludo comfortably on the driving seat at the Light House, and the youthful and debonair, National Chairman of APGA, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa working steadfastly to sustain the union of the party, the stakeholders and the people. It is no surprise that in Anambra, APGA understands Ndi-Anambra and Ndi-Anambra understand APGA. More than being just a political party, APGA is the conscience of the people.
It is the uncommon leadership profile set in unstoppable motion by APGA that has provided unequalled infrastructural developments for Ndi-Anambra as exemplified by Soludo’s watershed administration. APGA has given our people a formidable sense of belonging. The party provides the shelter for our people to shoot to the very top. Under the watch of Soludo and APGA, Anambra State beats all others in educational contests. Anambra State has the highest cut-off mark in admission into Unity Schools in Nigeria. In short, with APGA’s Soludo in charge, Anambra leads while others follow.
With the APGA mandate, Soludo has taken the economy of Anambra State to the very top without borrowing a kobo. Mr. Governor has given the assurance that APGA remains the only hope for peace, equity and prosperity of Ndi-Igbo at large. The “Onye aghana nwanne ya” spirit of APGA runs deep in the Anambra bloodstream. No matter who you are, what you are, where you are, or what you believe in, there is always the APGA motif to cling to: “Nke a bu nke anyi!”
With this ringing across the length and breadth of Anambra State, Soludo’s re-election is a victory foretold.
Nnopuechi is an Onitsha-based public affairs analyst.
