…says era of ‘Trade-by-barter’ over
By Sylvester Nwosu
Governor of Anambra state; His Excellency, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo has charged the leaders and members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to renew their commitments to the long-term survival of the party, stressing that the era of ‘Trade-by-barter’ was over.
The governor who gave the charge in a statement he released on the heels of the APGA South-East Zonal meeting noted that the party is being built as a movement where loyalty mattered and tickets not for sale.
“Something significant happened at our APGA South-East Zonal Stakeholders’ meeting — the first of its kind in over 20 years. We did not just gather to talk. We gathered to rebuild”, the former Central Bank governor-turned State Chief Executive said.
He continued: “Let me be blunt: the era of “trade by barter” politics in APGA is over. This party will no longer be a rented platform for personal ambition. The era of the “gift-ticket” must end now. We are building a proper movement where loyalty matters and tickets are not for sale.
In 2024, we became the first party in Nigeria to fully digitize our membership register. That means every registered member now has the right to vote and be voted for. No more shadows. We have also adopted Option A-4 for our primaries — open, transparent, and fair to all”.
On funding for the party, the governor hinted that APGA would return to what he termed as “student days”, where every member must own the party by contributing their dues.
“But structure without funding is fantasy. That is why we are returning to the “student days” model. Members must own this party through dues. A committee will soon roll out a sustainable funding system so we stop depending on business interests that have limited our growth.
Our National Chairman, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, has laid out the new rules: Expression of Interest first, then screening, before Nomination Forms. Party executives must stay neutral or resign if they want to campaign for anyone. These are tough rules, but serious parties do tough things.
“I thank the National and States Working Committees of our great Party for their commitment to this new direction.
My charge to all of us is simple: let us commit to APGA’s long-term survival. Aspire with integrity. Stop “holding briefs.” Stop jumping platforms. Let us build a disciplined, national movement anchored on transparency, equity, and justice. The work has begun”.
