The Young Progressive Party (YPP), Ebonyi chapter, has inaugurated a 21-member caretaker State Executive Committee (SEC) to pilot the affairs of the party for the next six months.

The committee led by Mercy Nwaogbala was inaugurated in Abakaliki following approval by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

Sunday Opoke, the governorship candidate of the party in the state in the 2023 gubernatorial election who doubles as the leader of the YPP in the state, advised the officials to see their appointments as a call to duty.

Mr Opoke enjoined the committee members to put personal interests aside and work to actualise the collective goal of the party, among which is to make the YPP a vibrant opposition that would take over power in 2027.

He further advised the officials to shun any temptation to engage in anti-party activities.

”Such activities will not be tolerated, as they will constitute a gross violation of the party’s constitution.”

He emphasised that the party must strategise to take power in order to provide credible leadership to the people of Ebonyi.

He said, “If you must take power, you must strategise; you must be dynamic and play with all your intelligence. 

“Taking power is not easy but it becomes easy when men are committed.

“I believe that the men gathered here are committed, and come 2027, they will lead Ebonyi through YPP. We are not saying that to impress you; already, we are aware that they are having issues here and there.

“The reason we are trying to address leadership issues early enough is so that we will not behave like them because we want to be sure that when people come to us, they are coming to us because we are mature.

“When they are coming to us, they are coming because we are capable and have the potential and capabilities to take power.

“So, if we do not express such capacity, then we are not doing party business; that is why, as you have been inaugurated today, to whom much is given, much is expected.”

Mr Opoke pledged the support and loyalty of the members to the new leadership, urging them to stay committed to their new assignment.

Meanwhile, Ms Nwogbala, in an acceptance speech on behalf of the members of the SEC, pledged to move the party to the next level while  appealing for support and solidarity to enable the committee to succeed.

She noted that the duty of an opposition party was to make the ruling party, through a constructive and virile opposition, deliver good and credible governance anchored on democratic tenets.

She said that YPP, under her watch, would not antagonise the ruling party in the state but serve as a watchdog to ensure that the principles of natural justice and rule of law were upheld at all times by the government.

Ms Nwogbala, while assessing the performance of the Governor Francis Nwifuru-led state administration, appreciated the governor for achieving a lot within his one year in office.

She, however, urged the governor to pay attention to grassroots social and infrastructural developments and also create job opportunities for the youth.

“As the chairman of this party, I will make sure that I and my team move the party forward to the best of our ability.

”I will do my best to ensure that YPP will produce the next governor of the state in 2027. All we ask for is your support and solidarity.

“We, as the opposition, will not engage in needless criticism of the ruling party but we will constantly serve as a watchdog so as to keep them on their toes to offer good governance and credible leadership.

“Many youths who are graduates in various disciplines engage in commercial motorcycle and tricycle riding; this has to be addressed,” Ms Nwogbala said.

(NAN)