“APGA aspirants who have not seen forms to buy are fighting even though they do not know if they will eventually participate in the primary.” ―Ebuka Onyekwelu
So far, the All Progressive Grand Alliance –APGA, has remained the only major political party going to participate in the November gubernatorial election in Anambra state, which has not sold nomination and expression of interest forms to any of its aspirants. The People’s Democratic Party –PDP has since concluded selling forms to its aspirants. The All Progressives Congress –APC has also completed sales of forms to its aspirants. It is important to note that, APGA, PDP, and APC are the three major political parties among others that will participate in the coming governorship election and all the big three have various capacities to win the contest, based on each party’s comparative advantage, over others.
In the case of APC, the caliber of aspirants jostling for the party’s ticket goes to show that given this new reality, the APC can no longer be regarded as a party that is not on ground in Anambra state. Then for the PDP, the usual bickering that often characterizes the party’s buildup to the primary election and post-primary election, and then the subsequent breakdown of singleness of purpose towards the general election, is yet to be seen. PDP’s major challenge has been perennial internal wranglings, but this time, the party seems to be changing cause. Though still early, but one must carefully observe that there is something different with the PDP this time around, be it as it may, how long this lasts can only be determined by time.
In perspective, what this means is that APGA is gearing up to run against a much stronger APC with seasoned aspirants and a much stronger PDP, one that is showing signs of determination to forestall internal crises that often dislodge its strength in Anambra state. Surprisingly, the battleground appears to be shifting to APGA with the level of agitation, wrangling, internal strife, and power tussle at play. Already, APGA is the only big political party with a visible crack on its ranks, and this is coming even before the primary election. A casual observation of the activities of APGA members on social media leaves one to wonder if each aspirant has their own APGA different from each other aspirants. In the field, the attitude is no different. In contrast, we have both the PDP and APC aspirants who have bought forms and have been successfully screened and are sure they are on the party’s ballot moving on smoothly with their campaigns for delegate votes. To buttress, Chidozie Nwankwo just visited Chief Ben Etiaba in his home in Enugu. Both are serious contenders for the APC ticket and not only that they have bought forms for the primary, but they have also been cleared to participate in the primary election. In contrast, APGA aspirants who have not seen forms to buy are fighting even though they do not know if they will eventually participate in the primary. This is not a good sign for APGA, moving forward.
There are doubts that APGA would sell forms and clear all its aspirants
As of now, doubts abound that APGA can sell forms and clear all its aspirants, something PDP and APC have done with a lot of ease. This is telling to the effect that the “be your brothers’ keeper” mantra of APGA may be going through its most turbulent time. What this means is that no matter the position of Governor Obiano as both the Governor and the party leader, along with other party leaders, there is a need to think beyond who becomes the party’s flag bearer. Yes, who gets the ticket is important. But more important is, what happens to APGA after the primary? The strife within APGA is rife and timely intervention is urgent. APGA still have party leaders and elders who have been steadfast in their politics and maturity in dealing with party crisis of this nature. The likes of Ekwueme Ogidi, Chief Maja Umeh; an astute bridge builder and strategist. Paul Odenigbo and Tim Menakaya, among other trusted, respectable, and respected senior party men, who so far have remained father figures, and symbols of neutrality which are the hallmark of managing internal party differences of this nature, may be needed to weigh into the crisis before it spirals totally out of control.
The strife, threats, and mounting pressure in APGA at this moment is without any iota of doubt an existential hazard to the party. Meanwhile, Governor Obiano, the leader of the party should move at once and rally men of strong character that have shown neutrality so far, and see how they can be engaged as envoy of the party to build the bridge and calm the fuming rage, which speaks only of a pending catastrophe that will leave every party man and woman a loser. This move has to be made by the Governor now. It has to be before the APGA primary election so that the various interests threatening APGA’s existence beyond the coming governorship election can be amicably harmonized.
As to whether APGA can, yes, the party has what it may take to succeed itself, but will this happen? In truth, this now depends largely, if not solely, on how these contending and radically imploding differences and interests are resolved. Furthermore, leveraging on the experience and neutrality of trusted party men, which the governor as the party leader should converge, enabling an environment to rebuild APGA and prepare it beyond the primary election must be prioritized, so that the party will move into the November general election ready for victory.
♦ Ebuka Onyekwelu, strategic governance exponent, is a columnist with the WAP
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