By Ikemefuna Ozobi
For over two years, committed members and reform-minded leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State worked diligently to reposition the party. Their collective aim was to return the party to its progressive roots – grounded in internal democracy, people-centred leadership, and integrity-driven politics. That effort gave hope to many that the APC could emerge as a credible alternative for good governance in Anambra.
Sadly, those gains are now under serious threat. The recent influx of right-wing political actors – some of them political merchants without any ideological alignment to progressivism – has severely undermined the progress made. These individuals have hijacked the party structures for personal ambition, sidelining genuine, long-serving members and derailing democratic processes.
The controversial delegate congresses are a clear manifestation of this regression. What should have been an opportunity to deepen internal democracy and re-legitimize the party’s leadership structure turned into an exercise in impunity. Rather than conducting open and transparent elections at the ward levels, names of supposed “delegates” were allegedly written in hotel rooms, behind closed doors, by a select few. Congregating in a hotel room to write the names of delegates is not democracy. At best, it is impunity; at worst, it is a betrayal of the sacrifices of those who laboured to reposition the party.
The APC in Anambra must rediscover and recommit to its founding ideals of inclusivity, justice, and service to the people. Progressivism is not an empty label; it must be reflected in every process and action of the party. Some National Working Committee (NWC) members should wane themselves of partisanship and urgently review the flawed delegate congresses to restore confidence in the party’s processes.
A genuine reconciliation process is needed to heal the wounds caused by exclusion and manipulation. The party should create a reconciliation committee that listens to grievances and offers real solutions—not just platitudes. Internal democracy must be non-negotiable going forward. The imposition of candidates and leadership through backroom deals and shady hotel room meetings must end. Open contests and respect for grassroots decision-making will discourage opportunists and restore faith in the system.
The party must prioritise nurturing leaders who have emerged from its ranks and have demonstrated loyalty, capacity, and a genuine connection to the people. Recycling political jobbers and opportunistic defectors only undermines credibility and stability.
Anambra APC is at a critical juncture. It can either allow the invasion of right-wing opportunists to obliterate its progress, or it can reclaim its progressive identity and rebuild an inclusive, credible, and democratic party. The time to act is now. The future of the APC in Anambra—and its relevance in the state’s political landscape—depends on the choices made at this moment.
