By Gozie Ofonze, Awka
In recent times, there has been a noticeable surge in the number of students embracing the APGA Ideology and aligning with Ezeokenwa’s Next-Generation vision within various higher institutions of learning across Nigeria.
This resurgence is reminiscent of a political development last witnessed in the Second Republic, highlighting the impact of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) under the leadership of Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa and it’s renewed focus on political education and integration among university students.
Understanding that a political party serves as an organized group with a distinct label and often an acronym, tasked with recruiting, training, and nominating candidates for public offices during elections, with party ideology forming a fundamental aspect, Ezeokenwa has demonstrated a strong commitment to nurturing future leaders through APGA.
Central to this commitment is ensuring that these future leaders are deeply entrenched in the knowledge of APGA’s manifesto.
Historically, Nigeria has lacked political parties whose followership is driven by a clear ideological framework, spanning from the colonial era to the post-colonial period.
In response to this, the visionary leader has swiftly moved to establish party extensions within universities, aiming to initiate the process of ideological indoctrination among the next generation of APGA enthusiasts. His vision is that by the time these students are ready to pursue political offices, they would have become embodiment of APGA’s ideology.
To this end, the national chairman has introduced the APGA Next Generation, drawing parallels with the initiatives of political parties such as the NPN, NPP, UPN, and Aminu Kano’s PRP, which had a presence in various university campuses during the Second Republic. This reality provided students with the platform to engage in debates about political party ideologies while helping them choose party affiliations on the ground of ideology.
This is what Barr. Ezeokenwa aims to reintroduce with the establishment of the APGA Next Generation chapters in universities across the country.
Already, significant progress has been made, with APGA Next Generation chapters established in universities such as Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Federal Polytechnic Oko, and Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe. These chapters hold monthly meetings where students engage in debates covering a wide range of topics, from public policies to party ideology and government policies across various sectors.
Ezeokenwa plans to further expand the reach of APGA Next Generation to universities nationwide, as he continues to prioritize the inclusion and empowerment of young people across the nation.
Under his leadership, the party looks determined to become the new bride for young people across the country.
