APGA ADOPTS JONATHAN AS PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE
THE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday adopted President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as its presidential candidate for the 2011 election.
APGA made the adoption at its national convention and kick-off of its campaign for the 2011 general elections in Awka, Anambra State. The motion for the adoption of Jonathan was moved by the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Emeka Sibeudu and seconded by Alhaji Sanni Shinkafi.
Also, a cross section of youths have endorsed the senatorial bid of erstwhile Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili, and vowed to work to ensure that she realises her ambition.
The APGA convention event organised yesterday was witnessed by top party officials across the federation, including the National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh, Governor Peter Obi, the National Secretary, Shinkafi, who is also governorship candidate for Zamfara State, deputy National Chairmen for north and south, Alhaji Sadeeq Massallah and Chief Chris Ejike Uche respectively. Other present included member, Board of Trustees, Dr. Tum Menakaya, the governorship candidates of Imo and Abia states, Chief Rochas Okorocha and Chief Reagan Ufomba respectively. Other governorship candidates are Obinna Obiegue (Enugu State) and David Ekanem (Akwa Ibom).
In an interview, the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Benard Akoma told The Guardian that the activities billed for the day had two segments - the business section taking place at the Women Development Centre would take far-reaching decision aimed at preparing APGA to sweep the polls in April. He added that they would also rectify some of the recommendations taken by the party National Working Committee.
Akoma also said the second phase to be held at Dr. Alex Ekwueme centre would among others witness a march past by all the candidates for various political posts including, governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assemblies. The highlight of the occasion, Akoma said, would be the presentation of flags to the candidates.
He assured of APGA's readiness to sweep all the seats at the general elections, adding that all candidates presented were of high quality and grassroots mobilisers who would surely deliver democratic dividends to the masses in their various states.
Speaking shortly after the convention, the Deputy Governor, Anambra State, Mr. Emeka Sibeudu's motion was adopted for members of the National Working Committee to serve for four years.
In his remark, Victor Umeh declared: 'I admire the courage of all our supporters from across the country. I equally commend all for re-electing the NWC members to serve APGA for another term.'
In a flurry of messages sent to her Facebook page, the youths unanimously rated Akunyili, the standardbearer of the APGA for Anambra Central Senatorial District, as the best among the candidates seeking the people's votes during the April 2, 2011 elections. Akunyili has almost 24,000 fans on Facebook, most of them youths. Many of the youths described Akunyili's decision to run for the Senate as an answer to their prayers and assured her of all needed support to actualise her ambition.