From Isaac Ojo
The former Political Adviser to Gov Charles Soludo on Political Matters, Dr Alex Obiogbolu has stressed the need for strengthening democracy through party integrity.
Obiogbolu who contested in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) primary for Anambra North Senatorial zone stated this after losing out to Sen Stella Odua under what he considered unfair circumstances.
“For more than three decades in partisan politics, I have remained guided by a simple conviction: that the deepening of democracy in Nigeria depends fundamentally on strengthening our political parties and ensuring that party discipline, internal democracy, and institutional supremacy remain the bedrock of our political culture.
“Political parties are the vehicles through which democracy operates. They recruit leaders, formulate policies, mobilize citizens, and ultimately determine who occupies positions of public authority.
Where democracy is weakened within political parties, democracy itself becomes weakened within the nation.
“Throughout this Republic, I have, alongside many committed democrats, participated actively in efforts to deepen internal party democracy by advocating strict adherence to party constitutions, transparent processes, and free and fair primaries.
“Four years ago, I joined APGA and accepted the invitation to serve within government under the belief and understanding that we were collectively committed to building a stronger, more democratic party — one founded upon discipline, transparency, fairness, and respect for established rules and guidelines.
“My decision to contest for the Anambra North Senatorial ticket after wide consultations, on the platform of our great party APGA, was inspired by this confidence that our internal democratic processes had evolved beyond the shortcomings of the past.
“It is therefore deeply disappointing that despite clear guidelines issued by party leadership to guarantee credible primaries, the longstanding concerns associated with manipulation of internal electoral processes, disregard for established procedures, and actions capable of undermining confidence in our democratic institutions appear to have resurfaced.” He said.
The for Political Adviser said emphatically that the primaries conducted on Saturday, May 23, 2026 regrettably fell short of the renewed expectations created by APGA.
He noted disappointedly that all the directive by party leadership to ensure free, fair and credible primary was flagrantly disobeyed by electoral officers.
“On more than three occasions, I have travelled this difficult path marked by abuse of office, transactional politics, intimidation, and predetermined outcomes.
“Despite these challenges, I remain undeterred, because enduring change is achieved not through withdrawal, but through participation, resilience, and consistency.” He pointed out
He said that his position is informed not merely by concern over an electoral outcome, but by a deeper commitment to preserving the integrity of our party’s democratic processes.
“Our hope remains that the party leadership will seize this moment not as an occasion for division, but as an opportunity to reinforce confidence in our institutions and reaffirm APGA’s commitment to fairness, transparency, and genuine internal democracy,” Dr Obiogbolu asserted.