Soludo, APGA Chart Reform-Driven Future at Landmark South-East Stakeholders’ Summit

By Praise Chinecherem

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has launched what could become the most consequential transformation in its history, signaling a decisive break from transactional politics at a landmark South-East Zonal Stakeholders’ Meeting.

Held for the first time in over two decades, the APGA summit was more than symbolic—it was a strategic reset.

Party leaders used the platform to unveil an ambitious reform agenda designed to dismantle entrenched practices, curb opportunistic politics, and reposition APGA as a disciplined, ideology-driven movement.

At the center of this shift is Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State and the party’s national leader, who delivered a characteristically direct and uncompromising message.

The governor warned that genuine reform would demand sacrifice and a departure from what he described as “trade-by-barter politics”—a culture where party platforms are treated as disposable vehicles for personal ambition.

Soludo also highlighted recent structural milestones, including the party’s full digitization of its membership register in 2024, a move that aligns with electoral regulations and expands internal democracy.

Under the new system, he said, every registered member is empowered to vote and be voted for—a significant departure from opaque selection processes of the past.

In a further push for transparency, APGA has formally adopted the Option A-4 voting system for its primaries, ensuring open, verifiable participation.

The governor made it clear that the era of “gift tickets” is over, emphasizing that loyalty, merit, and commitment—not financial influence—will determine candidacy.

“We are not rebuilding a platform for convenience,” Soludo asserted. “We are building a movement anchored on values—where discipline matters, and where the party cannot be bought.”

To address long-standing funding challenges, he proposed a return to a grassroots-driven model reminiscent of student union politics, where members sustain the party through structured dues.

A dedicated committee is expected to design a modern, scalable funding framework aimed at reducing dependence on wealthy benefactors—a model widely criticized for stifling organic growth.

Reinforcing this reform trajectory, APGA National Chairman Sly Ezeokenwa outlined a modernization blueprint aligned with Nigeria’s evolving electoral framework.

Key components include digital registration, direct primaries, the institutionalization of Option A-4, and the elimination of bundled nomination forms.

Ezeokenwa also introduced stricter candidate vetting procedures. Aspirants must now first obtain an Expression of Interest form and successfully pass screening before proceeding to purchase nomination forms—a layered process designed to improve candidate quality and credibility.

In a notable move to enforce internal discipline, he announced a forthcoming Code of Conduct for party officials. Under the new rules, any party executive wishing to openly support a candidate must resign their position, ensuring neutrality and reducing internal conflicts of interest.

Earlier, Anambra State Chairman Ifeatu Obiokoye described the meeting as unprecedented, commending stakeholders for their swift mobilization and renewed commitment to party unity.

Echoing this sentiment, South-East National Vice Chairman Augustine Ehiemere portrayed APGA as a “beautiful bride” in Nigeria’s political landscape and a symbol of South-East political identity.

However, he offered a sober reflection: despite its stability, the party’s growth has remained regionally concentrated, underscoring the urgency of expansion and strategic repositioning.

The event drew a broad spectrum of party figures, including Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezim and Speaker of the State House of Assembly Somtochukwu Udeze, alongside aspirants and key stakeholders.

With this reform agenda, APGA is attempting a delicate but critical transition—from a personality-driven platform to a structured political institution.

Whether these sweeping changes will translate into national relevance remains to be seen, but the message from the South-East summit was unambiguous: the party is preparing for a new era defined by transparency, accountability, and ideological clarity.