By Jonathan Elendu
Chekwas Okorie, the founder and pioneer National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has accepted to serve as chairman of the party’s board of trustees (BoT).
Okorie made this known in an acceptance speech he read to reporters in Abuja on Wednesday.
Going down memory lane he said his appointment as the BOT chairman is reminiscent of what he did for Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
“I remember with nostalgia the year 2002 (22 years ago) when APGA was registered as a political party by INEC,” he said.
“I willingly and happily set aside any personal ambition and persuasion to champion the push to present late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the presidential ticket of APGA for the 2003 presidential election in Nigeria.
“It is a fact of Nigeria’s political history that I became the first Nigerian to found a political party without using it to contest for president or any elective office, for that matter.
“It was my considered view that such sacrifice was in the best interest of the Party.”
Okorie recalled his travails in the party after registration.
“I am emotionally touched that for many years, l suffered betrayals, persecution, humuliation, malicious allegations, and vicious attacks by the highest beneficiaries of my blood and sweat and their goons, and I am here honoured by the same APGA under a new and compassionate leadership.
“It is indeed true that what God cannot do does not exist.”
He also traced the trajectory of Edozie Njoku, the current national chairman.
“I am doubly gratified that the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Edozie Njoku, is not only a consumate, committed, and dedicated APGA member but deeply rooted in the original vision of the Party.
“He was the pioneer National Vice Chairman, Southeast of APGA, and later became first candidate for Onitsha North/South Federal constituency for the 2003 General Election in Nigeria.”
