Kehinde Fajobi
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and national leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has declared that the party is open to forming alliances with any political organisation that truly embodies progressive values.
Speaking at APGA’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Friday, Soludo described the party as Nigeria’s foremost progressive movement.
He said the recent court validation of the party’s leadership had strengthened its resolve to achieve greater heights.
“APGA remains ready to extend a hand of fellowship to any party that professes true progressive ideology in order to join hands to rebuild Nigeria,” Soludo stated.
He added: “APGA is alive, APGA is strong, APGA is rising. As the first political party in Nigeria registered as a progressive in 2002, every other party with ‘progressive’ in their name came much later.
“We believe in Nigeria, fairness, equity, true federalism, and leaving no one behind. That movement is alive and stronger than ever.”
Soludo praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Bianca Ojukwu, a member of APGA, as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
He noted that Tinubu’s actions reflect a genuine commitment to national unity.
“The commonality in the names of our parties, APGA and APC, is not a coincidence,” Soludo said, emphasising APGA’s readiness to work with other progressive parties to move the country forward.
Reflecting on his administration in Anambra, Soludo said his government is demonstrating the ideals of progressivism through intentional policies and good governance.
“We want Anambra State to be an example of what progressivism represents,” he remarked.
He also addressed the prolonged leadership crisis within the party, recently resolved by a Supreme Court judgment, and lauded the judiciary for upholding justice. Additionally, he commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for improvements in the electoral process.
National Chairman Barrister Sylvester Ezeokenwa welcomed party leaders to the meeting, announcing significant reforms.
He revealed that the party had granted amnesty to genuine members who erred during the leadership crisis but excluded non-card-carrying individuals.
He also highlighted initiatives like the digitalisation of APGA’s membership register and the launch of skill acquisition centres under the APGA Foundation.
Former APGA Chairman Victor Oye urged members, especially elected officials, to remain loyal to the party and avoid defecting to other platforms.
Notable attendees included Bianca Ojukwu, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Anambra Deputy Governor Onyekachukwu Ibezi.