Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership re-validation and registration kicked off on a peaceful note today with the State chairman, Col David Imuse Rtd, Secretary of the party, Engr. Lawrence Okah, the party’s candidate in the 2020 governorship elections, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu among others revalidating their membership of the party at their various voting units in the state.
Speaking shortly after re-validating his membership at his voting unit in Uhiele, Esan West local government, Col David Imuse, Rtd, called on elders, leaders and members of the party across the State to mobilize support for the success of the exercise .
Col Imuse described the exercise, “as a well thought plan by the APC National leadership to refocus, strengthen the bond that unites members and breathe fresh air into our party”.
On his expectations after the exercise, he said that it is not different from that of the National Leadership of the party which is, ” to ensure that the party was returned to the people at the grassroots by starting from bottom up from polling unit to ward to the local government to the state and then to the federal”.
He also commended the Governor Buni-led National Caretaker Executive Committee saying the registration and revalidation exercise will in the end harmonize the party.
On his part the State Secretary of the party, Hon Lawrence Okah who revalidated his party membership at Ward 7, Unit 9 of the party’s Oguola Centre of Oredo Local Government Area, Okah said APC is the first party to re-validate its membership in Nigeria.
He described the exercise as “the first of its kind” and urged the people of the state to come out enmasse to register in the party.
Also speaking shortly after re-validating his membership of the party at Ward 5 Unit 25 of Oliha quarters, former Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council and the party Caretaker Committee Chairman of the local government, Hon. Osaro Obazee, said the exercise is to ensure that the party goes digital and to secure its registers in all the Wards.
“The exercise would also enable the party keep proper records”, he added.
In his comment, Hon. Patrick Obayangbon (aka Igodomigodo), said the exercise is the foundation of democratic politics because it is taking place at the unit level.
“In party democracy the people and only the people are Philosopher king. The exercise is an opportunity for everyone to rejoin the party afresh again”, he said after re-validating his membership of the party in his Owina Ward 3, Unit 4 of Oredo Local Government Area.