Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced an aggressive drive, with the objective of reaching a target of over 500,000 members ahead of the 2020 gubernatorial election, the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki disclosed during the week.
Obaseki was speaking during the sensitization of executives and leaders of the APC in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area (LGA) and Irrua, Esan Central LGA, ahead of the party’s four-week registration exercise across the state.
He said the registration process is aimed at strengthening the APC at the base, noting that in the past three years, the party has focused on restructuring to ensure development flows from bottom to top.
“When you have a strong and viable party, the government can do more,” Obaseki said.
According to him, the target is to get over 500,000 members to ensure seamless victory for the APC during the elections, adding that APC will continue to be the dominant party in Edo State because it has the interest of Edo people at heart.
Obaseki urged all members of Edo APC to join in building of the party, while insisting that members should not be disturbed by some people in the state who are still practicing outdated politics.
“They should come back to the house and stay on the queue and behave like anybody else. You cannot practice your politics outside your ward. APC is open; nobody is being driven out. If you have an issue, attend ward meetings and register your complaints so we will all sit down and resolve it.
“You don’t run to Abuja and tell us you have come home and demand membership. It doesn’t work that way. That is not in the party’s constitution.”
The governor said the APC is mainly dominated by youths who would not be easily deceived going by their level of intelligence.
“The APC is dominated by a large number of young people who do not know the ancient history of the past so they will not follow people who want to drag them to the past.
“I see the energetic young people in our party. I know it is forward ever, backward never. The issue of serving for eight years rests with God. Just as he did it before, he will do it again. It is not my problem now. My problem is to prepare for the next four years.”
Earlier, Edo State Chairman of the APC, Barr. Anselm Ojezua said the consultative meeting was called at the instance of the governor to educate party members of plans to update the party membership register, adding that the last update of the APC’s membership register was done in 2014.
Ojezua said 68 registration teams have been set up to update the register of members across the state and the exercise would take place at the unit level of the party.
At the meeting in Irrua, the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye, said “We are toiling night and day to achieve the re-election of Governor Obaseki. We will ensure that the senatorial districts are won for the governor’s re-election.
A representative from Igueben, Esan Central and Esan West Federal Constituency, Hon Stella Okoro, while commending the governor for his achievements, said, “We are proud of you and happy with you. We pray the almighty God grants you your heart desires.”
Peter Ologun, who spoke on behalf of APC leaders and executives in Akoko-Edo LGA, said, “We have resolved to give you a second term. We are giving you 100 per cent support.”
