By Abuchi Onwumelu
Stakeholders of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Anambra State chapter have resolved to work in unity in order to win the state 2021 gubernatorial poll.
Speaking at a special stakeholders meeting recently held in Awka, the Anambra state capital, APC stalwarts also sought the assistance of national body of the party for ease rode to the government house.
The state chairman, caretaker committee of APC, Sir Basil Ejidike, explained that the party had a golden opportunity to launch and win the 2021 governorship election so as to be redeemed from permanent opposition role to party in power at the state level.
‘The leadership and members of APC must rise up to this challenge and worm tirelessly to ensure that the state is liberated from the stranglehold of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). Power is given by God but equally taken by those who have prepared and positioned themselves for it. For us to achieve this, I call for unity of purpose and direction.
‘With our resolve to remain united and bound together like our party’s broom, the collective march to Agu-Awka government house will surely be a reality. Together, we are stronger and can surmount any obstacle. I therefore, urge all of us to bury the hatchet of yesterday, and join hands with the party to achieve victory in the forthcoming governorship election,’ he stated.
He said the state working committee had for the past two years, consistently worked for the unity and progress of the party through setting up fact funding committee, organising interactive sessions, meetings, including drawing up work plans for the 2021 election year.
He, however, listed some challenges facing the state APC to include lack of unity and mistrust among key leaders and stakeholders, death of fund for the party, absence of reward system (empowerment), absence of adequate visibility/mobility, absolute non recognition of the party in the affairs of government, and non involvement of the party in any of the federal government social welfare programmes.
Also speaking, the former Senator for Anambra South district, Senator Andy Uba, urged the party to embark on reconciliation with all the aggrieved members, as well as to conduct transparent primary, which according to him, would enable all the governorship hopeful to work in unity for the party to emerge victorious.
The former gubernatorial candidate of APC in Anambra 2017, Hon. Tony Nwoye, called for sincerity of purpose, review of their performances in the previous elections so as to adopt workable strategies.
For his part, Mr Paul Chukwuma, immediate past Internal Auditor of APC, appealed to the Minister for Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige and other leadership of the party to intimate the APC national working committee and the presidency to provide necessary support to the state on 2021 poll.
‘The leadership should also appealed to the national to device means of refilling the vacant positions existing at the national level with some of our people. If possible, let the leadership fast tract membership registration in Anambra state ahead of governorship election,’ he added.
Senator Emma Anosike, former senator for Anambra North district, maintained that giving support and adequate mobilisation to their youths and women would help the state chapter defeat their opponents at the 2021 gubernatorial poll.
Others including the state party women leader, chairman of APC state elders forum, adviced the party governorship contestants to shun campaign of calumny and make effective use of social media while disseminating their political manifestos to people.
The leader of the party in Anambra, Senator Chris Ngige, while calling for patient and peace among the party faithful, assured that the federal government and national leadership of APC were working assiduously for the betterment of all.
‘The federal has a lot programmes for the young. We have officially flagged off the 778,000 jobs. The N-Power and other social investment programmes are there. I want to advice the state working committee to organise computer seminar for our members because everything is now digital. Even the membership registration is now digital. We must be computer literate to easily access all these programmes.
‘Again, when you make someone your leader. It is good you accord respect to the person as a leader by relating with the person very well at all times not only when you have challenges. We will keep rewarding members. Everyone must be patient. If you have not been rewarded for your services to the party, be calm. One day, your reward will come. Yours may become bigger than those you think are enjoying it now. You don’t need to fight anyone. Everyone is a leader. Just position yourself and work towards that,’ he maintained.
