By Obi Trice Emeka
I have been a member of the Anambra APC for a very long time, and during that time, one of the things I dreaded most was visiting the APC Secretariat at Amaenyi-Awka, otherwise known as the glass house. The former secretariat was cringy and carried a smell that could easily pass it off as a room enmeshed in voodoo. If I believed in spiritualism, I would say the place was cursed and might have been responsible for our consistent electoral misfortunes over the last decade.
The hall was a small space that could barely accommodate 40 people and lacked toilet facilities befitting the many high-profile members of the party. There was nothing about that secretariat that could be described as good. In terms of security and emergency preparedness, it was a disaster waiting to happen. With a single entry and exit point, it could easily become a trap. Thankfully, no emergency or security situation ever occurred, but the risks were glaring and undeniable.
That office might have been ‘manageable’ for a small party dreaming of the unimaginable in 2013, but as the APC grew to make history by ousting an incumbent in 2015, it became a big brand. Unfortunately, that office turned into an embarrassment, no longer fitting the status of the Anambra APC. Sadly, it remained so for another decade, continuing to diminish the party’s image among its peers.
Just like me, I know you must have felt the same way about the glass house. Many stakeholders and leaders who visited that office must have shared similar sentiments. Then came Paul Chukwuma, who, upon visiting the secretariat in February of 2024, immediately recognized how decrepit the place was. He decided to take action, promising the party a befitting secretariat that would match its stature in the state. Perhaps, it was a symbolic gesture to announce APC Anambra’s renunciation of the “curse” that had held it back for years and to mark its march towards the gates of Agu-Awka.
When I looked through the pictures of the new party secretariat at Agu-Awka, I was struck by the majesty of the building, the sophistication of the conference rooms, and the serenity of the environment. I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. The APC Anambra is rebranding, and at the forefront of this transformation is Paul Chukwuma, an old boy of the party. This new secretariat not only elevates the party’s status but also eliminates the costs of renting venues for larger meetings and hosting dignitaries.
In a party often characterized by “go-through” members—those who join for election seasons, contest, and then disappear—Paul Chukwuma has remained faithful. He has stayed true to the party since its formation, joining from the ANPP, one of the legacy parties that merged to form the APC. He has consistently put himself on the line for the party, volunteering to be the sacrificial lamb when necessary.
Last Christmas, when it seemed like the party was in mourning, Paul took it upon himself to host a feast that benefitted over 1,000 members. Insiders estimate that the program cost him well over N300 million. Beyond that, he ensured the party stayed visible, hoisting flags and erecting billboards across the state. While other political parties in Anambra appeared to have buckled under pressure, the APC stood firm as the only opposition in the state, thanks to Paul’s efforts.
Paul’s vision of rebranding the party, even in the face of daunting odds, is beginning to yield results. I hear that many new members are joining. However, as we celebrate their entrance, party members need to remember who did the groundwork and who will remain steadfast after the “go-through” members have left. The small gains of today should not distract us from the larger, long-term goals.
Paul Chukwuma’s vision is to rebuild the Anambra APC, brick by brick, embedding its consciousness in the minds of Ndi Anambra. As an old boy of the party, he is determined to drive the APC safely into Agu-Awka
