For months, the charisma and influence of the leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, have been missed within the party owing to his ill-health with attendant negative leadership effects on the party. With the possibility of the former warlord retiring from active politics when he eventually returns from medical sojourn, there may be need for the party to restructure its internal organs to remain relevant, writes Christian Okeke.No doubt, Dim Chukwuemeka OdumegwuOjukwu politically succeeded in embeddinghis personality into the inner fibres of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), not only the symbol of the party, but a figure whose influence and charisma have positively shaped the fortunes of the party for years.This was, indubitably-reinforced by the position which the former warlord holds as the leader of the party.A fact which is accepted by pundits remains that since June 24, 2002, when APGA got registered as a political party in the country, it has enjoyed massive acceptance, especially in the South-East zone, owing to the fact that Dim Ojukwu identified with its ideals and pitched its tent with it. This is beside the fact that APGA's motto: be your brother's keeper, and its manifesto are both striking and distinct, especially at the time when the party was birth.To the pundits, it is obvious that Ojukwu perceived the party as a platform that could further be tapped into champion the cause of equity and fair play for the Igbo nation. To them, majority of people from the South-East zone did not expend much energy to politically align with the man whom they admire so much and whose ideas they hold in high esteem despite the fact that it was unclear to them what their political future looked in the new political marriage.Not even the fear of how the party can successfully chart its course through the murky political terrain and stamp its authority in the competitive circle; and even whether it can weather possible internal challenges could deter the staunch believer in Ojukwu's sagacity and possession of magic wand. Perhaps, it was Ojukwu's political exploits that reinforced their conviction.It is on records that though Ojukwu, who joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) after his return to the country in 1982, lost the Anambra South Senatorial election to the Nigeria People Party (NPP) candidate, Edwin Onwudiwe, in the Second Republic yet he remained undaunted.In fact, from available records, the influence of the former warlord later defused the dominance of NPP in the old Anambra State and sacked the NPP government-led by Chief Jim Nwobodo, in an election whose result was challenged up to the Supreme Court in 1983.Same influence worked magic of sort and resulted in the eventual emergence of Ojukwu as the presidential standard-bearer of APGA in 2003 and was adjudged as the saving grace for the party perceived in certain circles as an Igbo party with lingereding internal crises.APGA, by every index, has passed through phases of leadership crisis that would have buried it, if not for an 'inner strength' that sustained it through the periods. The bond, which held the party from pending collapse and possibly going into comatose was linked to Ojukwu's resilience and the position he occupies in the hearts of majority of his kinsmen.From all records, APGA has proven to be a cat with nine lives as it survived long and unnecessary intra-party squabbles which threatened to tear it apart and drown its objectives. Shortly after its registration, intra-party crisis broke out and began to shake the party's foundation and threaten its mass acceptance and rising profile.It is on records that APGA'a first national convention of 19 January, 2003, at the old Parade Ground in Garki, Abuja was a paradox of sorts and turned to be the last that the party held in five years.The leadership crisis which later engulfed the party was unanticipated, avoidable and unnecessary.From 15 December, 2004 when the leadership crisis broke out, it was a conspicuous battle of the titans over the soul of the party with over 15 court cases filed by either faction led by Chief Chekwas Okorie and Chief Victor Umeh against the other. That the party survived the crises and even won assembly seats in 2010 and 2011 general elections in Anambra and Imo states had much to do with Ojukwu's resilience.In fact, even the gladiators in the leadership saga pledged their loyalty to the former warlord while the founding national chairman of the party, Chief Chekwas Okorie, at a time, stated that his reverence for Ojukwu remained intact despite his (Okorie's) insistence that, 'the right thing be done' in the party.Conscious of his huge influence and determined to work for victory for APGA, Ojukwu, during the 2010 governorship election in Anambra State, toured the state with pleas to the electorates to vote Governor Peter Obi for a second term. His voice was like that of a god as he dubbed his pleas for re-election of Obi as, 'My last wish.'Though many believed that Ojukwu's absence a year after and during campaigns for 2011 general election did not affect the chances of much as it not only do well but was able to win senatorial, gubernatorial and House of Representatives seat the failure to harvest much from the poll is still linked to the indisposition of the party's leader at the time.To many, APGA would have posed a great threat to the ruling party in some states, especially in the South-East, assuming Ojukwu was hale and hearty to lead the campaigns.Months after the general election and after Ojukwu left the country for medical attention abroad, beliefs are still rife that APGA is without 'clear direction and leadership' despite the efforts by its national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh to provide leadership for the party and ensure that its fortunes swell.At a time, it was reported that Umeh and Anambra State governor, Peter Obi were at loggerheads. Umeh, however, denied this. It was also speculated that the party's national chairman had issues with the governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha.Again, Umeh failed to accept the supposition as true. In fact, Umeh was quoted as having stated that contrary to the claims, the party was waxing stronger and boasted that, 'we are going to dominate the entire South-East in subsequent elections with the way we are going. There is no stopping us. We are forging ahead. The absence of Ojukwu has not affected us in anyway.'Be that as it may, expectations are that the party should start building frictionless internal disciplinary culture, especially when taken into account the fact that it may have challenges in future elections in Anambra State, where it currently holds sway, due to what had been described Governor Obi's dwindling political influence.Adopting a principle of give and take has also been advocated as a way to draw in more members and give everyone a sense of belonging in the fold. Perhaps, the party may benefit immensely from the recent announcement by Governor Okorocha of Imo State to pay N20, 000 minimum wage to the state's workforce, far above the N18, 000 Federal Government's approved wage.The announcement made by the APGA governor, who is the first to sign to pay above the Federal Government's offer to workers, can make the party a bride elsewhere during the forthcoming polls, and if the party succeeds in putting its house in order.What APGA needs at this time is to build a party that is stronger than individuals and reposition itself to achieve wider national acceptance. This is imperative as it will, no doubt, be a shock that the party will kiss the political landscape bye when Ikemba Nnewi eventually retires from active politics.
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