Opinion: A Call for Reform and Renewal in APC Leadership
By Okoi Obono-Obla
I have long admired the oratorical eloquence and ebullience of the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Barrister Alphonsus Eba JP. His contributions to the Party, particularly in securing the governorship and several other elective positions during the 2023 general elections, are commendable. Yet, the time has come for him to bow out gracefully.
The dynamics within the Party have shifted. The recent call by Chapter Secretaries and Chairmen from all 18 Local Government Areas of the State for his resignation cannot be ignored. These grassroots leaders are the backbone of the APC, and their collective voice represents the pulse of the Party.
As one of the founding members of the APC and a former National Officer of a defunct political party, I speak with the benefit of experience in the administration and management of political organizations in an evolving democracy such as Nigeria. The rumblings within the Party are undeniable. A new lease of life and reformative leadership is urgently required—one that draws from the original visionaries who brought the APC to this State 13 years ago.
The Party today has lost focus and direction. It is drifting—purposeless and rudderless. Instead of embodying progressivism, it risks becoming retrogressive and reactionary. This is unacceptable for a party that was founded on the ideals of reform, inclusivity, and progress.
I have consistently advocated for reforms within the APC and for leadership that recognizes that a political party is an aggregation of diverse interests and tendencies. Serious effort and strategic engineering are required to coalesce these disparities into a cohesive and united front.
In conclusion, Barrister Alphonsus Eba JP should step aside while the ovation is loudest. The APC must embrace renewal, reform, and a leadership that reflects the aspirations of its founding visionaries. Only then can the Party reclaim its progressive character and restore confidence among its members and the electorate.
Obono-Obla is a legal practitioner and former Aide to President Buhari
