By Chuks Collins, Awka
THE All Progressive Grand Alliance(APGA) in Anambra State has elected an Enugu–based lawyer and a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, as its new Chairman of .
Obi-Okoye’s emergence climaxed a week-long of top level political activities involving series of consultations, stakeholders/caucus meetings, wards, councils and zonal congresses.
Ahead of his eventual emergence on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, venue of the state congress, no fewer than 15 other aspirants offered to step down for him after series of meetings.
Prior to the announcement, the aspirants had taken turns to address the audience, comprising party delegates, members, supporters and observers, including journalists and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), who statutorily came to monitor proceedings, and announced their decision to step down for Obi-Okoye.
Besides emerging as the new state chairman, Obi-Okoye was the immediate past national publicity secretary of the party and later special adviser on Political Matters to the immediate past governor, Chief Willie Obiano.
A visibly elated Obi-Okoye, in an interview shortly afterwards, vowed to restore unity and fairness in the party.
He specially commended Governor Charles Soludo, who participated throughout the congress, for fostering peaceful and credible process, and appealed to all, particularly other aspirants, to join hands with him to move the party forward.
A chieftain of the party, Chief Mark Okoye, while commending the orderliness of party supporters during the exercise, said the 15 other aspirants step down for Obi-Okoye for the sake of interest, peace and good governance of the party in the state.
He promised to work with the new chairman to ensure a landslide victory for Soludo’s second term in 2025.
However, there were widespread grumbles from members across the state at the venue, with some members accusing Soludo of using his choice of new helmsmen at different levels to clearly confirm his alleged vow not to share or savour his position with anyone.
It was further alleged that his hatchet man unilaterally subverted the choice of candidates/leaders chosen by members from the various communities, councils and zones and in some instances, illiterates, political neophytes and ‘yes’ men were foisted on the people without any form of consultation with established chieftains in the areas.
