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Restoring the spiritual journey to save APGA
Let me use these two verses in the Holy Book to kick off. The first says: So, shall we then continue in sin that grace may abound? … Either we take him at his word when he equates sin to death, or we do not believe him at all (Ephesians 2:1). The second is Psalm 145:8, which reads: The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
Both comes handy for anyone attempting to situate the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in a historical context particularly given the crisis currently tending to asphyxiate and concern it to the scrapheap of forgotten political records.
One of the greatest tragedies besetting APGA today, is that those running it or pretending to, have little or at best a faint idea of its history, having not been there at the formation and therefore bereft of the ideas and projections of the original founders. Majority of them are just journeymen, passing by and using the party as a vehicle to achieve various and divergent ends, which apart from being totally personal, appear at variance to these ideals.
If only they did, they would have been seized of the fact that APGA’s foundational history is decked heavily in spiritualism and perhaps attempted a return to those spiritual pathways as a way of not only self-rediscovery but saving the party from imminent and sure death, such as presently facing it.
For instance, consider the false narrative that APGA was founded by the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, which they now promote. If not ignorance, then it must be for sinister reason(s), because it is a complete lie. Ojukwu never founded APGA. The late Ezeigbo Gburugburu, actually joined APGA more than six months after its formation and registration.
Chief Chekwas Okorie, was the conceiver, originator and SOLE FOUNDER of APGA. In fact, Noah building the Ark, Okorie was even mocked while labouring at the project. However, the only contribution Ojukwu brought to the party was his influence capital, which gave APGA its leap and relevance. To that extent, it could be right to ascribe him as the father of APGA. But to say he founded APGA is completely overreaching the facts.
Indeed to persuade Ojukwu, who was then a chieftain of the defunct All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), it was former President General of Ohanaeze, the late Eze Ozobu, former Chief Judge of Enugu State, who openly begged him to do so. This was at an Ohanaeze meeting in Asaba, where Okorie presented the APGA certificate to Ndigbo for the first time. Ozobu urged the late Ikemba to join the party as part of his further service to Ndigbo.
It was not only in September of that year, five clear months after that the Ikemba gave an indication that he was nibbling at the offer. That was at a function at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), where he publicly tore his ANPP card, though failed to state where next he was headed politically.
However on December 24, 2002 he finally accepted to become a member of the party in his Enugu residence at number 4 Isi-Uzor Street, Independence Layout, before the likes of Chief Hypolite Ogboko, Prof. Joe Nwogu, Onwuka Ukwa and others. Having caught the big fish, an upbeat Okorie, two days later at Zodiac Hotel, Enugu, told reporters that the coming election would be a contest between three Generals – incumbent Olusegun Obasanjo for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Muhammadu Buhari for ANPP and as he put it, The Wise General from the East – Ojukwu.
Yet, the Ikemba did not get APGA registration card until about a month later before the convention of the party at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja on January 10, 2003, ahead of that year’s presidential election, where he ran as the party’s candidate. I personally witnessed virtually all these developments and those I didn’t, I got as an insider.
But today, the narrative is that Ojukwu founded APGA? Today the founder of the party whose creativity and sweat the current party leadership and those before it are enjoying, is totally relegated to the background. How would there be peace, when there is a Just God watching?
APGA also had a spiritual journey that started after two failed attempts by the same Okorie to register a political party that it believed would promote Igbo Political identity in 1996 and 1998 using the name of Peoples Democratic Congress (PDC) in both occasions. He had opted to seek the face God in any future attempts. In 2001, he wrote prayer requests to all Christian Churches and Mosques for God’s divine assistance.
He then applied to INEC with the name of United Progressives Grand Alliance (UPGA) and later changed the name to APGA with the motto: Be Your Brothers Keeper (Onye aghana nwanneya) the same he used for Igboezue Cultural Association, which midwifed the formation of APGA. The efforts eventually paid off with the birth of APGA on June 22, 2002. The release of the certificate became one of the biggest political events in the South East, eliciting wide jubilation among Ndigbo, having become the first political party registered in Nigeria based on Igbo initiative.
Thereafter, Okorie in company of the late Jacob S.P.C. Nwokolo, proceeded to the late Arch Bishop Anthony Obiefuna to bless the APGA certificate of registration at his residence at Onitsha.
After going round to present the same certificate to Igbo leaders such as Ojukwu, former Vicer President, the late Alex Ekwueme, Ozobu and the late Christian who prayed on it, it was formally presented to the General Assembly of Ohanaeze in Asaba Delta State where a traditional prayer was held, led by Ozobu.
A week after the Asaba meeting, Okorie led his team to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Uwani, Enugu, where Monsignor Obiora Ike said another special prayer before blessing the party. Thereafter, an officially dedication of the party to God followed at an interdenominational service at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.
The combined effect of this journey was remarkable. APGA was believed to have cleaned all the states in the South East, and would have been the only party in the area, but for the ubiquitous rigging machine of the PDP under Obasanjo.
Yet, in what is seen as the handiwork of God to underscore the apparent divine essence of the party, a confusion erupted within the PDP in Anambra State that enabled the emergence of Peter Obi as its first governor, leaving the party a sort of lifeline to build survive.
However, instead of building on the momentum, the party descended into a decade-old leadership tussle that clipped its wings and derailed its purpose. Okorie, suddenly became the victim of intense battle, which led to a powerful force twisting his hands to seize his efforts and sweat, using money and influence.
In anger, and weary from endless court battles to retain the ownership of the party, Okorie walked into the Abuja headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with the same anointed certificate and personally returned it in May, 2012. He then declared in a public statement: “I’ve withdrawn the spirit and soul, I’m returning the carcass of APGA.”
There’s no telling that APGA never recovered from that curse ever since regardless what those operating it may believe, as it has never known any peace “being a party without soul and spirit.”
From then APGA took on a new face, spirit and soul, which manifested after Obi, who was a product of Okorie’s APGA served out his term setting the stage for another election. Then, the rude shock! Chukwuma Charles Soludo, fresh and smelling roses from Abuja as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), became the first major victim, as he was used as a guinea pig to test, what has become the new phenomenon.
Favoured to pick the party’s ticket for the 2009 governorship election, he was rudely shoved off the contest through disqualification, just 25 days to the process after collecting nomination fees alongside about six others. Unable to withstand the shock, he was forced to join the PDP from where he contested and lost.
Till date, like the hounds that tasted blood, the APGA the pattern of collecting huge amounts for primaries from prospective candidates and denying them the rights to contest through disqualifications, have remained the has remained the permanent feature.
The consequences of this odious trend, which disregards persons and status, including wife of Bianca, the adorable wife of the late Ikemba, is what has landed the party into the deep mess it has found itself today.
Until recently, a fuming Bianca, forbade the party from further using her husband’s head on the APGA uniform describing the leadership in unprintable terms.
Hear her testimony on May 12, 2021: “Another season of party primaries has arrived and those whose stock in trade is to milk party aspirants dry all because they aspire to run under our party’s platform, have started sending out requests for funds for our APGA ANAMBRA STATE SECRETARIAT… “The completion of a simple bungalow that could not be achieved in 7 years will miraculously be achieved by transformation to a four-storey edifice in 5 months. Hooray! However, Is it the best option to set up yet another ‘money mop-up scheme’ for APGA guber aspirants or other political office aspirants by this solicitation of funds after the scandalous mop up in the lead up to APGA’s 2018 primaries which cost the party so dearly?
Tony Gray Okpe, a senatorial aspiriant under the party in Imo State, was no less emphatic: “APGA is a fraud. It is more than a ponzi scheme and a continuous criminal enterprise. It is an Anambra business to defraud and make money using aspirants every four years. It’s a scam. Every four years, people are defrauded. It’s no longer nkea bu nke anyi, but nkea bu nke ndi ori (It is no longer this is our own, it now means this for thieves). Some people lost millions and millions to the cartel, some people were given certificates of returns four times.”
Today, the certainty of the party’s candidate for the November 6 governorship election, remains in a quandary following an intense legal battle that has pitted the same Soludo against one of the chieftains of the party, Chukwuma Umeoji.
Umeoji a two time member of the House of Representatives and a former local government chairman under the party, who like Soludo, was denied participation in the party primaries last month, seems to have found a way around his fate, by putting his name on the INEC’s ballot.
Even an order from the Court of Appeal in Kano, quashing Umeoji’s victory at the nearby High Court in Jigawa through which he emerged the candidate of the party has now become a subject of controversy. While Soludo and his camp are celebrating the victory, the Umeoji camp insist that it went into no issue since the appellate court did not make a consequential order to remove his name.
So, unless anything else happens to clarify this situation, the situation might not change, especially given another Court of Appeal judgement in Imo State, which the Umeoji camp insists favours them.
But must APGA pass through all these? If yes, why? If no, what’s the solution? Many analysts believe that APGA must be rediscover itself. It must begin by a true and fulsome reconciliation involving the original founders. Seek out Okorie, wherever he may be and give him a leadership role in the party. Make him return that spirit and soul he took away. It’s not too late to make that restitution even if without the required penance. That’s the only way.
APGA must seek the face of God again through another rededication. That curse placed nine years ago must be reversed. It is even more important now Ndigbo might need the party again for their presidential aspiration if other parties fail them. Let this be done now before it’s too late.
Yes! The anger of God may be slow on APGA, but must it continue in sin that mercy may abound?
Seyi Adewunmi, President of the Lagos Country Club (LCC), launched into his third term in office on Tuesday, with the eternal words with which William Shakespeare depicted the pleas of King Richard 11 to British noblemen at daggers-drawn in his forecourt, some 431 years ago – forgive, forget, reconcile and be agreed.
It was his way of offering his olive branch to seek healing for members still lacerated with old wounds of the bitter battle for the soul of the club, which ended up in courtrooms after failure to settle it inside the games-room, the tennis courts and other troubleshooting arenas.
Flanked by his wife, Ify, whose contribution he lavishly acknowledged, Adewunmi, at his inauguration at the club’s main hall, apparently recalling the incident, which nearly crippled affairs at the family club, said: “To those who are still aggrieved, I speak to you now, directly and without condition. Whatever the disagreement, the Club is bigger than any single dispute, and its future is far more important than any lingering bitterness.
“Whatever the words that were said or the decisions that felt unjust, I invite you, today, to lay it down. No dispute is worth dividing us. I extend to you my open hand and my open heart. This is your club. It needs you. I need you.
“The chapter we are about to write is better written together and it MUST be written. So please sheathe your swords. Come home. The gates are open, the seats are ready, and the work is too important for any of us to sit it out.”
The President, who was full of praises for the club’s Board of Trustees, was particularly enthused with the contributions of Aare Kola Oyefeso, the leader of the exulted body, whom he described as “a conscience and compass of this club,” for donating his wealth of experience.
Hear him: “To our Board of Trustees, and to Chief Kola Oyefeso in particular, I offer my deepest respect. You have been the still, small voice of wisdom in the seasons of noise.
“Every time this Presidency needed an elder’s hand on the shoulder, you were there. The Management Council and the Board have not merely coexisted during my tenure, we have collaborated, and the Club is better for it. I am indeed very grateful sir.
Expressing similar gratitude to other members of the Management Council Officers and the Chairmen of the various Sections and their Committees as well as the members, he enjoined them to prepare for the task ahead.
He added: “I see you all. I greet you all. And I am profoundly glad to be standing here, still standing, before you today. Let me begin with a confession. When I first stood in this position three years ago, I made promises. Big promises. The kind that sound magnificent from a podium and look somewhat different at seven in the morning when the contractor has not shown up and the cheque has not cleared….but I did not run away.
“I did not make excuses. I did not hide behind procedure or blame my predecessors. I rolled up my sleeves, as you well know I am rather fond of doing, and I worked. Two terms. Hundreds of meetings. Thousands of decisions. One attempted character assassination which, I am glad to report, the character survived.
“And today, you have returned me unopposed for a third and final term. Not because I cannot be challenged. Not because the road ahead is smooth.
“But because you looked at my record, you weighed me as a man, you made your assessment, and you made your verdict. I receive this mandate with the full weight of gratitude and the full fire of purpose. Lagos Country Club — your President is back. And this time, we will finish the work.”
He also expressed gratitude for various members of the club, who had supported in many ways to keep it going, recalling particularly the donation of equipment worth millions of naira by Tunji Amosu, the Vice President of the club, saying such a selfless gesture defined the idea behind LCC as a family club.
Hear him: “He (Amosu) reached into his own pocket, deep into his pocket I might add, and donated equipment worth millions of Naira to our new clinic. Millions. I want to be clear: this was not government allocation. This was not a corporate write-off. This was one man saying, ‘I believe in this Club enough to invest my own resources in its wellbeing.’ That is the spirit of Lagos Country Club at its finest, and it deserves to be celebrated.
“But let me also say that greatness is not only measured in millions. Gifts are never less precious than the grand gesture, and for this reason, I want to honour those who gave what they had, and gave it gladly. Confidence Yunusa (D12848) donated pillows to our clinic, and before you smile, those pillows matter. They speak of someone who thought about the comfort of a sick fellow member on a sick bed. That is love in action.
“Also, Femi Oduwole (D14027) gave us a water dispenser. Clean water. To all who gave in any measure: this Club sees you, this Management Council thanks you, the Board of Trustees appreciates you and history, as I speak is recording you.”
By Sunny Igboanugo
Despite consistent usage, it has remained a powerful reality, the age-long saying that the drum sounds for a great man – in life and at death. Rather than becoming a tiring cliché its reality continues to emerge as demonstrable evidence from time to time.
So, when on Sunday, October 26, 2025, the cap lowered on the head of Ben-Chuks Nwosu – astute lawyer, consummate politician, inimitable humanist, gifted public speaker and foremost community leader, it was not just another historic event, many of which have trailed him over the years, but a clear statement on the persona of the former Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly – one meant to capture his import as a man who has conquered his territory and etched his name permanently on the sands of time.
The versatile lawyer and politician, was among the influential figures assembled for special recognition by Igwe Keneth Orizu 111, Monarch of the Nnewi ancient kingdom – one of the iconic traditional stools in Anambra State – to mark his 100 years of age and 62 years on the throne, as one of the features of the historic event.
The monarch, the oldest and longest reigning king in Nigeria was emphatic on why Nwosu made that list – it was an acknowledgement of his positive contributions, not only to the development of the ancient town, but to the advancement of humanity in general through his engagements in many aspects, especially his chosen career of law and his vocation as a politician.
Ostensibly, the royal father wanted to make that statement both as part of the records of his reign and to demonstrate the essence of the biblical saying – to whom much is given, much is expected – and how this son on of Nnewi land had over time, fits that bill perfectly.
For instance, not only the monarch, the people of Anambra, if not the conscious world, bore and still bear witnesses to how, the primus inter pares of the Anambra legislature, Nwosu unsheathed his sword from the scabbards to confront the political hounds that attacked the state at that time, in defence of his territory – democracy.
The echoes of that historic period in the state, have continued to reverberate across the firmament, while the imprimatur has continued to be evident in demonstrably bold terms even now, as the doyen has again donated himself to yet a fresh battle – that of rescuing the people of Anambra from the abyss of despair as the state approaches the edge of the precipice where the current minders are driving it, through bad policies and unwholesome politics.
Currently, the Chief of Staff (CoS) of the John Chuma Nwosu (JCN) Campaign Council, the ex-lawmaker, has become a central voice for the new advocacy in Anambra by JCN – the man, who has taken it as duty to rescue the state and reverse the evil political vehicle, fast galloping towards that inevitable destruction.
Ndubuisi Nwobu, Deputy Governorship Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), at the hosting of members of the council at a reception organised at his Nnewi country home, shortly after the event at the Igwe’s palace, spared no words in acknowledging this aspect of the former Speaker’s persona, particularly his contributions to both politics and human development in Anambra State and beyond.
Nwosu takes traditional greetings with Igwe Orizu
For Nwobu, himself one of the biggest names in Anambra political arena, bearing the scars of its different political wars, it was a recognition of a fellow warrior in the battlefield and a colleague in arms, whose contributions are vital for the mission at hand.
The former Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who represented the governorship candidate at the event was emphatic in guaranteeing that Nwosu would neither relent or be deterred by the arsenal of war being assembled by the anti-democratic, anti-progressive and clearly negative forces in the state, who seem intent on relentlessly asphyxiating it of life.
Hear him: “There is greater work ahead and I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll live up to expectation, because your passion for the service to mankind is exceptional. Whatever you set your mind on, you pursue it with so much gusto and vigour, as if your life depends on it. For you, there’s always no going back.
“Congratulations. The entire campaign council greets you. We thank you for what you have done and have no hesitation in our belief that with your contributions to this onerous task, we’re going to triumph. Remain strong. May the good Lord continue to strengthen you in the name of Jesus.”
Before Nwobu spoke, Prof. Zelinjo Igweze, Director, Women Mobilisation and Dr. CC Okeke, Deputy Director General (DDG) Political Matters, had also spoken in the same manner, paying glowing tribute to the Nnewi-born political juggernaut.
Ike Iwenofu, accomplished Engineer and Director General of the council, had earlier in his tribute on behalf of the members, also acknowledged Nwosu’s towering profile and invaluable contributions to the campaign efforts.
He wrote: “The entire John Chuma Nwosu Campaign Council bursts with joy as we celebrate our indefatigable Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Barr. Benchuks Nwosu, on this glorious day of honour and recognition by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr. Kenneth Orizu III of Nnewi, during the historic Centenary Birthday Celebration.
“This royal honour is not just a mark of distinction, but a celebration of character — a recognition of your steadfast loyalty, uncommon humility, and tireless service to humanity and our great movement. You have continued to distinguish yourself as a pillar of strength and a shining example of leadership, loyalty, and integrity. Your honour today reflects the values we hold dear — service, excellence, and commitment to the greater good.
“We rejoice with you, Ogbalike Nwachinemelu, and pray that this recognition opens even greater doors of favour, grace, and impact in your journey ahead. A thousand cheers to a worthy son, a noble leader, and a loyal ally!”
Nwosu with Nwobu
But for the man of the moment, the event evoked memories decked in family history, particularly depicting a family of warriors, whose essence was captured in the roles they played in defence of the territorial integrity of the Obuofia Nnewi enclave in the years of yore.
He tells the story: “My father, Nwoke Modo was a warrior and it became his assignment to move from Obuofia to wage wars against our attackers. Where we live now is called Agawana, meaning war trenches. So, Eze Ugbuonyanta, the great grandfather of the person that gave me this title today, named him Ogbalike. That means, when things get tough, he is invited.
“So, when this came up about a year ago, I told the Igwe that I had a senior brother, but they said the knew the history, but that this was given to me in recognition of the special role I played as Speaker, particularly during the impeachment saga (of former governor, Peter Obi.)
“They said I proved some genetic trails when I did not betray him as then Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Council and I did not betray Dr. Dozie Ikedife, who was the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. So, this has been in the making for more than a year. In line with tradition, I had to let my elder brother know and he gave his consent that I could go ahead and take our grandfather’s title. That’s what I have done today. Since he was a warrior, they felt that the role I had played in Anambra politics akin to that of a warrior, hence the title.”
With this historic aspect, it might no longer be surprising to anyone the line the former Speaker is toeing, why his battle-weary body is lacerated with the scars of war and why his path both in politics, law and other endeavours is strewn with courage and forthrightness. It lives in the family – an acknowledgement that Ogbalike Nnewi is not just a title, it is history!
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