On Saturday, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) elected Dr Okechukwu Oye as the National Chairman of the party during its convention held at the Women Development Centre, in Awka.

The Convention also elected the former Minister of Information, Mr Labaran Maku, as the National Secretary, while Chief Uche Okagbuo and Alhaji Abubakar Adamu; were elected national deputy chairmen, South and North respectively.

The election was by voice vote as all the positions filled had sole candidature.

Chief Mike Kwentoh, outgoing chairman of the party in Anambra also emerged as the new National Organising Secretary of the party.

Chief Victor Umeh outgoing chairman thanked the members of the party for supporting him all through the period he served as chairman.

Umeh urged the incoming Exco to work assiduously to ensure that they built on the current party structure; as well as resolve issues that might arise within the party with maturity.

According to him, the outgoing Exco met an empty purse on assumption of office in 2006; but that party now had not less than N40 million in its coffers.

Oye, the new National Chairman, in his acceptance speech promised that the new leadership would work towards making APGA the most formidable and purposeful force in Nigerian political landscape.

Oye, who hails from Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra, said they would work towards a more united party, and ensure that the legitimate mandates of members; which were stolen; were recovered through legitimate means.

The Board of Trustees chairman and leader of the party, Gov Willie Obiano of Anambra, described the convention as a success and a sign of great things to come.

Obiano said members should eschew pettiness and embrace peace so that the business of governance could be achieved as APGA remained the best option in the current political dispensation in Nigeria.

The convention also ratified the reconstituted BOT members headed by Obiano. (NAN)