The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) held its first-ever South-East Zonal Stakeholders’ Meeting at the International Convention Center (ICC) in Awka.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
the meeting, themed “re-engineering” of the party, was presided over by the National Leader of APGA, Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
The meeting focused on repositioning APGA as a formidable national force while maintaining its “brother’s keeper” ideological core in the South-East.
In his address, Governor Soludo emphasized that APGA depends on a fundamental shift away from viewing the party as a mere transactional vehicle, stressing that for too long, the party has been treated as a “trade by barter” system or a mercenary platform where tickets are sold to the highest bidder rather than earned.
Prof. Soludo stated the era of gift tickets must end, replaced by a transparent process that prioritizes ideological commitment over commercial convenience,
The Governor stated that building a lasting movement requires a return to the disciplined roots of political association, where members contribute through regular dues and consistent engagement, as relying on a business-like funding model has only hindered the party’s progress and created a culture of instability.
Soludo maintained that true strength is found in the loyalty of members who have remained steadfast for decades without the incentive of positions or personal profit, pointing out that the party must now commit to rewarding this unwavering loyalty and ensuring that those who have served as its building blocks are valued, and revealed that by insisting that tickets are not for sale and that the system values institutional integrity, the party can transform into a proper movement capable of driving real systemic change at any cost.
In his speech, the National Chairman of APGA, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, emphasized that APGA is undergoing a strategic re-engineering centered on transparency, equity, and justice, spearheaded by the Governor, whom he described as a vital national asset, stating that under Nigeria’s brand-new Electoral Act, APGA has taken the lead by digitizing its membership register and committing to a credible primary process utilizing the Option A-4 mode, which will ensure that every registered member has the right to vote or be voted for.
Ezeokenwa stated that, to maintain the highest standards of integrity, the party is introducing a strict sequential process for expression of interest and nomination forms, alongside a new code of conduct that mandates the resignation of any party officer who wishes to openly and partisanly support an aspirant, as commitment to a transparent and credible system will be cascaded across the region, ensuring that APGA remains a disciplined movement where rules drawn from the Electoral Act are strictly enforced to protect the sanctity of the party’s internal democracy.
In their separate remarks, APGA National Vice Chairman, South East, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, and Anambra State Chairman of the party, Barr. Ifeatu Obiokoye, commended the Governor’s efforts to hold the party together, expressing optimism that the party will grow exponentially.
