BY TEJIRI EBIKEME

Dr. Veronica Ogbuagu

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, Dr. (Mrs.) Veronica E. Ogbuagu (JP) has said that the party will sweep the forthcoming Local Government polls in the state like hurricane.

Speaking at the first meeting with party members in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State following the political party merger, the former education commissioner in the state, implored members of the party to work hard for the success of APC in the state forthcoming Local Government polls.

Dr. Ogbuagu while predicting victory for APC in Delta State local polls charged members of the party to start looking for eligible candidates now for the local polls and ruled out imposition of candidates.

Meanwhile, a committee on Local Government Election had been set up by the Local APC.

She said; “The future of APC is very bright in the state and if we work hard enough, the party will sweep the forthcoming local government elections like hurricane. We must look at our past mistakes and learn from them. We should all work for the success of the party and money should not be our first consideration. Do not accept money from politicians to do dirty jobs for them. Let us work hard because that is the only way to secure a better future for our children; we must not fail those who formed APC. All hands must be on deck for us to take over Delta State Local Government Areas in the forthcoming Council polls.”

While saying that the merger is a viable alternative to PDP, the former Commissioner said the APC National Body was working hard through the merger committees to put a finishing touch to the party logo, the symbol, flag, the constitution, the manifestoes as well as the registration of the party.

She made it clear that nobody had been given any position/office or the structure of the party in Delta State.

According to her, “I make bold to say this, because so many desperate politicians have been going round the state, holding pockets of meetings and misleading people about the formation of the new party in the state. As usual, the purposes of such meetings are varied. Some for good reasons such as strategizing on how to form the party, some on how to hijack the party and others on how to infiltrate the party, undermine and destroy its merger.”

“Here, I must caution Deltans, do not be deceived. Be patient and wait for instructions on what to do and how to go about it from the National body. Nobody has been given directives on the formation of APC in Delta State. Beware of commercial and desperate politicians in Delta State. Shun all registration processes currently going on in some parts of the state. You cannot be fooled twice. All Progressives Congress (APC) was formed to redeem the country. The mega party is good for our nation and it is healthy for our democracy,” she added.

According to her, “The APC National Body has put various committees to mobilize support for the APC across the political, social, religious, ethnic and professional interest groups in the country. Delta State is lucky to have Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Executive Governor of Edo State as the South South Zonal Contact Mobilization Coordinator. Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is very familiar with the political game in Delta State. He is a man with wisdom and stern qualities. Deltans should be rest assured of his leadership qualities.”

“As a new party, it is only wise for us the genuine ACN members in the state to start working. We must think of how to properly position the emerging party in the state, how to mobilize people of proven integrity to the party. We must as a matter of fact reach out to good people of Delta State willing to contribute their quota towards the establishment of structures of the proposed party, APC merit and acceptability should be the yard stick of picking our gubernatorial candidates,” Dr. Ogbuagu stated.

In her words also, “We must all learn to focus our attention on one thing, ‘success’ and keep it focused there, if we hope to succeed. Belief, drive, desire, a positive mental attitude, determination, discipline, enthusiasm, excitement and motivation are all vital ingredients of success. You must make a decision to get started. Our new party is APC. We are all enjoined to play politics not as a dirty game, but a neat and clear game.”

While enjoining members to be prepared to work for APC, she said; “APC is the right party. Get credible people on board. It is the only way of safe-guarding the future prosperity of our children and grandchildren. “The price honest men pay for keeping silent and not getting involved is to be ruled by dishonest men.”

High point of the meeting was the formation of the following committees, eligible constitution of ward chairman, secretary, women leader and youth leader committee; party secretariat; mobilization committee and local government election.