In Ukpor, APGA Faithfuls Celebrate Party's Victory, Welcome New Members

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By Izunna Okafor

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It was a moment of felicity, conviviality, and thanksgiving, as members of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State celebrated the victory of the party in the last governoship election in the state.

The event, which started with thanksgiving mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Ukpor, held at the Rosewood Lodge, Chief Emma Nwachukwu's Residence, Umuhu, Ukpor, with many dignitaries and APGA stalwarts in attendance.

Speaking at the occasion, the APGA Chairman in Nnewi South Local Government Area, Hon. Azubuike Osuchukwu explained that the party's victory in the November 6 election was both a fulfilment of God's will and the prevailing of the people's choice in choosing their leaders.

He recognized and commended the party faithfuls and leadership in the council area and in Ukpor in particular, for their efforts in ensuring that APGA emerged victorious in the hotly-contested guber election, despite the defections and other challenges that threatened the party at the heat of the election and its preparation.

In his address of welcome, the host of the celebration and APGA Leader in Ukpor, Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu said he organized the event for the party faithfuls to celebrate the victory as a family, even as he attributed the victory to the popular Igbo maxim, ‘Chinaewubeze’, meaning that it's the God who makes and crowns king.

Recalling why and how he chose, joined and supported APGA and Soludo's candidacy among other parties and their candidates, Chief Nwachukwu, who is also the immediate-past President General of Ukpor Improvement Union (U.I.U.), emphasized that APGA still remains the best and most dominant party in the state, and further expressed optimism that Prof. Soludo's government under APGA would do even much better than expected.

Rolling out plans and some new strategies on how to make the party and its members thrive much better and smoothly in the community and beyond, he advised the party members to remain loyal, supportive, and altruistic, assuring them that the party and his leadership will not disappoint them.

The event also featured reception of stakeholders from different wards in the community who newly joined the party. 

Receiving the new members on behalf of the party leadership, the Transition Committee Chairman for Nnewi South Local Government Area, Engr. Chieloka Okoye described APGA's victory and its celebration as well-deserved, and further described the reception of the new members into the party as a welcome development and a proof that the party is doing well.

He recounted how some  stakeholders of the party unexpectedly abandoned them and decamped to other political parties when APGA needed them most. He therefore showered praises on Chief Nwachukwu and others who intervened, greatly supported and also secured victory for the APGA in the community and other parts of the local government area.

While also appreciating Chief Nwachukwu for bringing in more stakeholders of the Community into the party; Engr. Okoye heartily welcomed and congratulated the new members for seeing the need to join the APGA Family, urging them to remain faithful and loyal to the party and its leadership, while also assuring them of equity, fairness and transparency, which the party is known for.

Speaking on behalf of others, one of the new members, Chief Walter Okafor of Ukpor Ward 5, who revealed that he started identifying with APGA since 2017, expressed his heart-felt joy that he is now a full member of the party; and avowed his unalloyed support to the party and its activities.

Others stakeholders who were newly received into the party include: Chinedu Anyachor of ward 6; Pius Ujubonu of ward 1; Chidi Okonkwo of ward 6; and Kenechukwu Mbanude of ward 4.

In an interview with newsmen, an APGA stalwart, Mr. Chris Nwachukwu of Ukpor ward 2, applauded the victory celebration and reception exercise, even as he restated his strong belief that APGA has greater prospects and will continue to march forward.

Among other dignitaries, the event had in attendance, the Education Secretary, Nnewi South Local Government Area, Lady Nneka Ileka; political appointees, local government councilors, Association of Non-indigenes in Ukpor, as well as members and stakeholders of the APGA in all the six wards that make up the community.

The official conviviality, giving of APGA uniform to the new members,  and chanting of APGA solidarity songs formed the highpoints of the event.