…Option A4 voting system, was first introduced during Nigeria’s aborted Third Republic in the early 1990s.
AWKA, NIGERIA — The iNews Times reports that the APGA Option A4 voting system has been officially adopted by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ahead of the 2027 general elections, marking a significant shift in the party’s internal electoral process.
The announcement was made during the South-East Zonal Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the International Convention Centre in Awka, where Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, declared that the adoption of the APGA Option A4 system is aimed at eliminating rigging, reducing vote-buying, and entrenching transparency within the party.
The development signals what party leaders describe as a bold internal reform designed to curb what Soludo termed “mercenary politics” and restore credibility to the party’s primary elections.
The Option A4 voting system, first introduced during Nigeria’s aborted Third Republic in the early 1990s, is a transparent method where voters physically queue behind the candidate of their choice, making support visible and verifiable.
According to Soludo, the APGA Option A4 framework will eliminate the secrecy that often breeds manipulation in delegate-based systems.
“I know that most of you may not be happy with this new strategy because you see politics and party membership as business,” Soludo told stakeholders. “But what we are doing is to cut wastefulness and ensure the health and credibility of our party.”
Under the APGA Option A4 structure, aspirants will clearly see the level of grassroots support they command, discouraging deceptive practices associated with secret ballots.
“It is not the one where you pay people and they claim to support you, only to vote otherwise. We want to curb that,” the governor added.
Observers say this move may significantly reshape how primaries are conducted within the South-East political landscape, particularly as political activities gradually build toward 2027.
Soludo issued a stern warning that the 2027 primaries would not follow the traditional pattern of transactional politics.
Describing the reform as necessary for party survival, he emphasized that discipline, loyalty, and transparency would now define participation.
The APGA Option A4 directive also comes with strict guidelines; aspirants must commit to a single political ambition, no aspirant may simultaneously pursue multiple offices, party executives must remain neutral or resign before endorsing candidates, engagements with party leadership must occur strictly at designated party offices.
“If you want to run for governor, make up your mind,” Soludo declared. “We will not tolerate people holding one office while eyeing another.”
He argued that divided ambition often leads to poor governance and weak performance in public office.
Political analysts note that internal party discipline is increasingly becoming a benchmark for electoral credibility, especially following the implementation of Nigeria’s amended Electoral Act, which emphasizes internal democracy among political parties.
Earlier, APGA National Chairman, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, reinforced the reform blueprint, aligning the APGA Option A4 system with broader modernization strategies.
According to Ezeokenwa, the reforms will include; digital registration of party members, direct primary elections, full adoption of Option A4, abolition of bundled nomination forms.
“The party has officially adopted Option A4 to ensure maximum visibility and fairness,” Ezeokenwa said.
He further clarified that aspirants must first obtain an Expression of Interest form and successfully pass screening before purchasing nomination forms, a move designed to filter unserious contenders.
The chairman stressed that party officials intending to openly support any aspirant must resign their positions to preserve neutrality and prevent conflicts of interest.
The iNews Times gathered that these measures are part of APGA’s strategy to reposition itself as a disciplined and reform-driven political party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Anambra State Chairman of APGA, Chief Ifeatu Obiokoye, described the meeting as unprecedented and commended stakeholders for demonstrating unity.
He noted that the APGA Option A4 reform represents a new era for the party, adding that transparency and internal cohesion are vital for electoral success.
Also speaking, the South-East National Vice Chairman, Chief Augustine Ehiemere, described APGA as the “beautiful bride” of Nigerian politics and a symbolic platform for South-East political identity.
He emphasized that reforms would strengthen the party’s appeal beyond its traditional strongholds.
The adoption of APGA Option A4 may influence other political parties to reconsider their primary processes, especially amid increasing public demand for accountability and transparency.
Historically, internal party disputes arising from controversial primaries have weakened electoral outcomes. Political experts argue that transparent systems like Option A4 could reduce post-primary litigation and factional crises.
However, critics caution that the system’s open nature could expose members to peer pressure or intimidation if not properly managed.
Nevertheless, APGA leaders insist that structured guidelines and supervision will ensure fairness and order.
With the 2027 elections still ahead, the APGA Option A4 adoption signals early preparation and strategic positioning.
The iNews Times reports that Soludo’s reform agenda appears focused on consolidating party discipline, strengthening grassroots democracy, and presenting APGA as a model of internal electoral credibility.
As political alignments intensify across Nigeria, internal reforms such as this may become defining factors in shaping voter perception and party cohesion.
For APGA, the message is clear: transparency over transaction, discipline over division, and reform over routine.
