The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Edozie Njoku, has vowed to reposition the party even in the face of challenges.
Mr Njoku, who has been declared the authentic National Chairman of the party and recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, is facing a battle with the government of Anambra State.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has refused to recognise Njoku as the Chairman of the party despite the Supreme Court ruling.
DAILY POST reports that despite this, Njoku said he would do everything within his power to reposition APGA for a greater tomorrow and a good outing in the up-and-coming Local Government elections around Nigeria.
Njoku said this when he addressed newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, thanking the judiciary for their immense commitment towards deepening the process of internal democracy in Political Parties through upholding truth, enthroning equity and restoring confidence in those who run to the court seeking justice.
He also thanked INEC for the courage it has shown in doing the right thing by finally recognizing his led national working committee, as the true Executives.
“We thank the NWC and the Peace and Reconciliation Committee who within One Month of our recognition by INEC have toured 22 States, so far, mobilizing aggrieved party members to return to the fold and asking them to rise to the occasion and align with the leadership principles of the rebirthed APGA.
“We want to thank all APGA members in Anambra who are facing difficult times at the hands of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC).
“We commend them for the way they conducted themselves when they were locked out by ANSIEC at the stakeholders meeting which was organized on August 15, 2024. We are proud of you. We want to urge you never to relent.
“The NWC will do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure that your rights aren’t trampled upon. It is uncanny for the Anambra State House of Assembly to have embarked on the amendment of the law establishing ANSIEC for the sole purpose of denying APGA the right to field legitimate candidates in the forthcoming LGA elections in Anambra State.
“We wish to apologize to all our party members in Ebonyi State and other States where the LG elections have been conducted, and whose participation by APGA was not up to scratch due to the nonchalant attitude of previously recognized Executives of APGA.
“We want to tell you that it will never happen again. We will ensure that APGA is enshrined in all 36 States and Abuja in the shortest period of time no matter the sacrifice we have to make which is hard work and commitment.
“We also want to commend APGA members in all the States where the State Independent Electoral Commissions are yet to accord them their due recognition.
“Lose no sleep about this. Be rest assured that we are solidly behind you. We shall explore all avenues within the ambit of the law to ensure the right thing is done.
“We also want to plead with all our candidates who have previously won elections in APGA since 2019 and were excluded by the protracted battle for the past 5 years. Please be patient with the NWC.
“We believe that peace and reconciliation is the best option at the moment. Give us some more time.
“Finally, we shall reposition, refocus and realign all APGA members in all the 774 LGAs. We shall galvanize and revive lukewarm members and ensure a commitment that has never been seen before. Repositioning of APGA for better days can only be achieved by hard work and commitment. “
