Obono-Obla declares for APC national secretary ahead of March convention

A former Chairman of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property has declared his intention to contest for the position of National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the party’s National Convention scheduled for March 2026.

Speaking in Calabar during an interaction with journalists, Obono-Obla said his decision to join the race was driven by a desire to strengthen the party’s administrative structure and ensure that its operations remain firmly anchored in legality, transparency, and accountability.

The former presidential aide added that his extensive experience in law, governance, and anti-corruption initiatives positions him to effectively manage the responsibilities of the office.

“I am not just a candidate, but a custodian of integrity, experience and vision,” he said, while outlining his plans to improve the party’s secretariat and deepen internal cohesion within the APC.

Obono-Obla, who has spent about 35 years practising law within Nigeria’s legal system, noted that his legal background would help ensure the party’s processes and decisions comply with existing laws and regulations, thereby protecting it from avoidable disputes and litigation.

He explained that his previous roles as Special Assistant to the President and Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the Federation exposed him to the complex relationship between politics and public policy, an experience he said would be useful in managing the party’s affairs.

The legal practitioner also recalled his tenure as Acting Secretary of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, where he collaborated with stakeholders to strengthen justice delivery across the country.

According to him, his experience as head of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property further demonstrated his commitment to transparency and accountability in public service.

Obono-Obla said these values, if entrenched within the APC’s leadership structure, would help consolidate the party’s credibility and strengthen its internal governance.

Beyond his legal and public service career, he described himself as a writer, author, and public affairs commentator who has contributed extensively to national discourse on governance and international affairs.

He said the communication skills gained through these engagements would enable him to clearly articulate the vision and programmes of the APC while fostering effective engagement with party members across the country.

Obono-Obla also highlighted his role as a traditional ruler, which he said gives him a deeper understanding of grassroots realities and community expectations.

According to him, the position has enabled him to appreciate the importance of inclusivity and the need to bridge the gap between modern political institutions and traditional governance structures.

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The APC chieftain further highlighted his long-standing involvement in the formation of the party as part of the credentials he is bringing to the race.

He recalled that he served as Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Merger Committee and Co-Secretary of the Joint Inter-Party Merger Committee that negotiated the formation of the APC in 2013.

Obono-Obla said the experience has given him a clear understanding of the party’s founding ideals and organisational structure.

He added that, if elected National Secretary, he would work to safeguard the legacy of the party’s founding members while strengthening the operational efficiency of the National Secretariat.