2023: Why we founded the Vanguard Progressives Forum – Imolehin
By Admin://
The Senior Special Assistant, SSA to the Honourable Minister of FCT and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Arc. Tunde Imolehin, has defended the formation of the fast- growing APC Progressives forum- the Vanguard.
In a very exclusive chat with some selected party faithful and media personnel recently, the IPELE-born “apostle of decent politics” said the Vanguard Progressives Forum was a child of necessity, born to address many gaps in the ruling party particularly in Ipele and its environ.
GODOBA – GOD is KING, as the well-respected politician and environmentalist is fondly addressed, said “we no longer have a sense of belonging, our voice no longer counts. It doesn’t matter if we made sense or not. No inclusiveness and meetings are no longer held. Not a few are aggrieved.
“There were gaps in leadership, no justice, no fairness and efforts to make some people who feel because they were close to power to reason fell on deaf ears.
“Those of us, who sensed that this might lead to a big problem came together to salvage the party particularly in Ipele. Ipele is a big ward with massive electoral value, 38 units. Instead of allowing massive anti-party and decampment of party members, we came together, deployed resources to maintain and nourish the party. Am glad to say today that our intervention has yielded concrete dividends”
He continued “Today, the party is back in Ipele, gaining grounds. We are well structured. We meet every week with no less than 200 members in attendance at each sitting. We are spreading the vision and many are happy with our honest and bold efforts. We are seriously networking. Many from other wards are coming to learn from our example which is peaceful and progressive. In other wards, people are fighting and quarrelling but for us, we said let’s just be proactive. Let’s turn our threats into opportunities. Every politics is local. Today, the people are happy, well- motivated and hopeful. We are preparing vigorously to make sure APC retains power especially at the centre.
While giving his advice for the party leadership, he said: I’ll advise zero arrogance in positions of power. Power belongs to the people.
“Honesty, Transparency and Accountability are key factors in purposeful leadership. Leaders must display a high sense of humility and responsibility in the affairs of the party. And all that they do. Divide and rule tactic is archaic and must be avoided by all means possible. This is democracy and it is not democracy for nothing. We have lost too many battles to arrogance and rigidity in power. Going forward, we must sheath our swords. We must come together to win as nobody shares failure.”
In his word for the members, he said: “APC is still the party to beat. Let’s pray the leadership put our house in order and work in unity and justice, carry all along and make sure that every loyal party member does not have any reason to regret pitching tents with the ruling party. We have a very important election ahead. Going into the elections as a divided house will be injurious to all.
“Barely three months into the elections, we appear passive and undecided. Except for a few places, members are not gathering, mobilised to strategise for the heavy task ahead. There is a lot of suspicion everywhere. Those who are sitting on the fence because of what they are enjoying or gaining from the current inadequate and unsustainable approach should learn from the past.”