By George Ozalla
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has taken a bold step toward restructuring its internal electoral process with the adoption of the Option A4 system for party primaries at its South East Zonal Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, as part of broader preparations aimed at strengthening internal democracy and consolidating its political base ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting brought together key party leaders, elected officials, aspirants and stakeholders drawn from across the South East geopolitical zone, with discussions centred on party discipline, transparency in candidate emergence, and the need to reinforce grassroots participation in decision making within the party structure.
The National Chairman of APGA, Chief Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, in his address, welcomed participants and described the gathering as an important moment in the ongoing effort to reposition the party for future electoral contests. He noted that the leadership of APGA remains committed to rebuilding internal trust and ensuring that its processes reflect openness, fairness and credibility in the selection of candidates.
Ezeokenwa explained that the adoption of the Option A4 system represents a return to a more transparent method of conducting party primaries, where members of the party at ward level physically align themselves behind aspirants of their choice. He said the approach is intended to reduce disputes associated with indirect methods of selection and to ensure that the will of party members is clearly expressed and respected.
He further outlined that the new framework will be accompanied by a structured code of conduct that binds aspirants and party officials. The code, he stated, is designed to promote discipline during the primary process, discourage manipulation, and ensure strict adherence to established party guidelines. He added that the credibility of the party’s internal process is central to its broader ambition of electoral success in forthcoming elections.
The National Leader of APGA and Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, also addressed the stakeholders’ meeting, describing it as a defining point in the evolution of the party’s internal politics. He emphasized the need for a political culture that is not driven by transactional interests but anchored on structure, merit and genuine engagement with party members at the grassroots.
Soludo stressed that internal democracy cannot be sustained without empowering the base of the party, noting that systems such as Option A4 help to reinforce the principle that political authority should emerge from the direct participation of members. He urged stakeholders to remain strategic and focused, adding that sustained political relevance depends on active involvement, organizational strength and consistent mobilization at all levels of the party structure.
A major highlight of the meeting was the interactive session which provided an avenue for stakeholders to raise concerns and seek clarification on the implementation of the new primary system and other party-related issues. Discussions during the session reflected a broad interest in ensuring that the reforms are properly implemented in a manner that strengthens unity within the party.
The meeting also recorded the unanimous adoption of a motion of commendation in recognition of Governor Soludo’s leadership style and developmental efforts within Anambra State as well as his role in the affairs of the party. Participants acknowledged his contributions to governance and his continued involvement in shaping the direction of APGA at both state and national levels.
Those in attendance included the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, members of the National Working Committee, State Working Committees, as well as local government and ward executives. Aspirants and political stakeholders from various parts of the South East also participated in the deliberations, reflecting a broad spectrum of the party’s internal structure.
