By Adekunle Williams
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has reaffirmed support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing cooperation as vital to strengthening democratic governance.
APGA National Chairman, Mr Sly Ezeokenwa, spoke during an interactive session with newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.
He said the party’s alignment with the APC-led Federal Government was driven by national interest and the need for political stability and development.
Ezeokenwa said APGA’s leadership had consistently defended its stance on electoral reforms, internal democracy and constructive political cooperation.
He stressed that the party remained committed to credible elections, transparent political processes and grassroots participation essential for national development.
“APGA’s support for the Tinubu administration is based on the belief that cooperation among political actors is necessary to stabilise the country and advance development.
“I have consistently emphasised constructive engagement rather than antagonistic politics. APGA believes engagement with the government at the centre serves national development.
“Our national leader believes governance should not involve needless confrontation but collaboration. We support stability and progress while remaining true to our ideology.
“Our alignment with the Tinubu administration does not diminish our identity as a political party with its own structure and vision,” he said.
Ezeokenwa also spoke on the electoral system, praising reforms introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He clarified misconceptions about electronic transmission and collation of election results within the present legal framework.
“The law currently provides manual collation as the primary method. There is no full electronic collation under the existing electoral framework.
“The result transmitted to the IReV portal differs from what INEC collates because physical result sheets are used at collation centres.
“If an amendment is to be meaningful, it should clearly establish electronic collation instead of creating confusion about what currently exists.
“INEC already deploys Collation Support and Result Verification System officers to help ensure accuracy during collation,” Ezeokenwa said.
The APGA chairman described the 2023 general elections as the best conducted in Nigeria’s history.
He attributed the improvement to innovations such as electronic accreditation using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
“The 2023 election, in my opinion, supported by verifiable facts, remains the best election ever conducted in Nigeria.
“For the first time, electronic accreditation using BVAS became compulsory, strengthening the integrity of the voting process.
“During collation, officials verify accredited voters through BVAS before accepting results.
“If votes exceed accredited voters, the law requires such results to be cancelled,” he said.
Ezeokenwa also defended direct primaries, arguing they would strengthen internal democracy and reduce the influence of money in candidate selection.
He said APGA’s national leadership had long advocated inclusive nomination processes that allow wider participation by party members.
“Our national leader, Prof. Charles Soludo, prefers a credible nomination process involving party members.
“The delegate system allowed a few individuals determine candidates, often influenced by money.
“There were allegations some delegates received as much as 50,000 dollars during party primaries.
“Direct primaries will compel aspirants to engage members at the grassroots instead of relying on a handful of delegates,” he said.
He added that wider participation would strengthen political parties and encourage accountability among aspirants.
“When all party members vote in primaries, aspirants will mobilise grassroots members rather than lobby a few leaders.
“This process strengthens party structures because members become more involved in decision-making.
“In the long run, leaders emerging from such processes will be more accountable to the people,” Ezeokenwa said. (NAN)
Edited by Modupe Adeloye / Kamal Tayo Oropo
