Former APGA National Legal Adviser, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, has been elected National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
He was unanimously elected to the Office of National Chairman by over 300 Delegates selected from 36 States of Nigeria at the 2023 APGA National Convention.
Governor of Anambra State and National Leader of the APGA, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR, observed the party’s National Convention for newly elected officers, held at the International Convention Centre in Awka.
The newly elected National Secretary of APGA, Ibrahim Mani, and other executives administered the oath of office to serve and be committed to the party’s activities.
Governor Soludo congratulated the party’s fourth national chairman, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, and described APGA as a party for Nigerian youth because the party is being led by youth.
He revealed that Barr. Sly was born into an APGA family and has APGA blood in his veins because his father was a strong stalwart and former APGA Chairman of Onitsha South.
Soludo also praised the outgoing National Chairman of APGA, Ozonkpu Victor Oye, and his Exco, saying he led for 8 years with dedication and hard effort.
He argued that, except from APGA, he cannot think of any other party that has left actual landed assets, with its own National Headquarters and Regional Headquarters, each with its own title documents, located in the heart of Nigeria, Abuja and Awka.
“When they took office, they were given N25 million, but when they leave, they are handing over N300 million in cash.” APGA is meticulously designed to last.
“We are going to engrave your names on a plaque of marble and have them etched on the national and regional Headquarters of APGA so we will never forget. What they have achieved is ‘un-nigerian’,” Soludo stressed.
While thanking the newly reconstituted APGA Board of Trustees, the Governor noted that there is still much work to be done but expressed confidence in their ability to deliver.
He said that APGA is firmly established as the grand alliance of all progressives and that they are federalists who think that the past federalist structure is the future—a fiscal federalism in which the FG does not become a constraint to the party.
The Governor, who commended INEC on a successful election despite a few faults and imperfections, complimented them for their efforts.
“If I can’t comment anywhere, I can say that the election in Anambra was free, fair, peaceful, and transparent.”
“We believe in a united Nigeria ruled by justice, peace, and equity.” We believe in collaboration and would work with the FG at the center to construct a united country and take Nigeria ahead. That is APGA policy, and we will stick to it,” Soludo said.
The governor urged everyone who had left the party to return. He stated that the tent is expanding and will soon be large enough to accommodate them.
Earlier in his remarks, the APGA outgoing National Chairman, Chief Sir Ozonkpu Victor Oye, who stated that he was sworn in as National Chairman on June 6, 2015, expressed his joy that he and his Exco are departing their roles with their shoulders held high.
They came, fought, and conquered, he said, fighting the good fight with resilience and hard effort.
In his vote of appreciation, the newly elected National Chairman, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, thanked his political father and mentor, Ozonkpu Victor Oye, for teaching and instilling in him ideals that have aided him in his quest.
He reaffirmed his commitment to establish a formidable party for the masses to supply social needs and alleviate suffering, accepting the mandate and opportunity to serve.
INEC officials led by Barr. Festus Okoye observed and witnessed the National Convention.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Speaker Anambra House of Assembly Rt Hon Uchenna Okafor, Deputy Speaker Anambra House of Assembly, Hon. Pascal Agbodike, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Head of Service, Barr. Theodore Igwegbe, Wife of APGA Founding Leader, Iyom Bianca Ojukwu, Members of Anambra Executive, Members of National Convention Planning Committee, Members of APGA NEC/NWC, APGA Board of Trustees, APGA National Delegates amongst others attended the convention.
