Ahead of the 2027 general elections, aspirants to the various political positions under the platform of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State have commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for adopting the Option A4 system of voting in the party’s primary elections.
Soludo made the declaration for the adoption during the South East zonal stakeholders meeting of the party, held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Awka, the Anambra state capital.
The governor reasoned that option A4 would beat rigging and also enhance transparency in the party, while cutting down waste of scarce resources through vote buying.
Reacting to the said declaration, a House of Representatives’ aspirant of the party for Awka North and Awka South Federal constituency, Dr. Azubuike Augustine Ekweozor, commended the governor and the national leadership of the party for the initiative, which he said would enable all aspirants to contest on level playing ground.
He said, “APGA has very wonderful national leader in the person of Prof. Charles Soludo, and national chairman, in the person of Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, who are working round the clock to ensure that the right thing is done. I thank them, and pray to God to give them more grace to lead the party.”
Dr. Ekweozor, fondly called Ide Umuawulu, who is the founder of Ide Global Movement, said that Option A4 will make politicians come back home, identify with the party, and help build it from the grassroots, adding that it will kill the idea of anointed candidature, because members of the party will now determine who represents them.”
The party’s aspirant for House of Representatives for Dunukofia, Njikoka and Anocha federal constituency, Chief Chukwudi Oli (Oba Eze-Afia), who also spoke with Daily Sun, said he was leaving the event happier than he came because of the outcome of the stakeholders’ meeting.
Chief Oli maintained that with the Option A4 system, aspirants who identify with the party structure will always be supported by party members, adding that it was a clarion call on politicians to always identify with the party, sponsor party activities, and help build the party at community levels.
Another House of Representatives aspirant for Awka North and Awka South Federal constituency, Chief Chukwuemeka Pat Orjiakor, said that the party’s stand on its primaries promises free, fair, and credible elections for the party.
He said that before now, some aspirants had moved around, dropping the governor’s name, and claiming that he begged them to contest elections under the platform of APGA.
He said, “In fact, there are people who have been moving around saying that they were the governor’s anointed candidates. When the governor was speaking today, I saw one of them bending his neck in disappointment.
“So, what the present scenario suggests is that aspirants should go back to their constituencies, wards, and communities to show the stuff they’re made of. No room for moneybags who always muscled their ways through.
“Today, as far as APGA is concerned, politicians will no longer contest elections from Abuja, while neglecting their local constituencies. So, we thank the governor, who is the national leader of our party. We also thank the NWC of APGA for conceiving this initiative.”
Frontline aspirant for state House of Assembly for Idemili North state constituency, Hon. Prince Okeke Chinemelu Godwin (Esq), also praised the leadership of the party for the adoption of Option A4, saying that the formula will be a test of the aspirant’s credibility, popularity, and acceptance within the party structure.
Credit: The Sun