IT is indeed worthy to note that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has risen to immeasurable heights in the politics of our country. The APC has not only gained popularity, fame, membership, but also the trust of the people, as the citizens of the country appear to have given their full trust to the APC. The recent elections in the country has proven the fact that the APC now has a firm hold in the politics of the country. With the APC’s presidential candidate, General Muhamadu Buhari defeating Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP in the last presidential election, with the former securing 15,426,921 notes, while the latter scored 12,853,162 votes.
The APC’s hold in the state is also undeniable. Worthy to note is the fact that the APC seems to be experiencing an increase in its membership with the rate at which people defect to the party. Recently, Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s main challenger in the 2012 governorship election in Edo State, General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), who at that time contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has defected to the APC, also about 3,000 members of the PDP has decamped to the ruling APC. Still in the decamping trend, a one-time governor on the platform of the PDP, Osunbor has also decamped to the APC.
In addition, a leader of the PDP and former chairman of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) in Edo State, Comrade Johnbull Asemota, the present chairman, Comrade Osahon Osamuyi, and 20 other members of the PDP have decamped to the APC. In the same light, the chairman and eleven members of the executive council of the PDP, decamped to the APC in Ukpato Ward, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.
The trend of decamping to the APC in the state is however not surprising as the Comrade Governor has laid a solid foundation for the APC in the state. When he emerged the winner of the court’s decision that ruled out Osunbor in 2008, he swung into action by rescuing Edo State form the derelict state it was in, as he executed many massive development projects, rural and infrastructural developments, road construction, electricity and many more. Notable is the beautification of Ring Road with flowers, various side and walk ways across the state, overhead bridges, pedestrian bridges, the Comrade Bus which is a major achievement. Prior to this time, the people had a major transportation issue, hence the governor ameliorated their plight, by improving transportation in the state through the provision of the comrade buses with dedicated drivers which moves to various destinations across the state.
Another good thing about the comrade bus is the low rate of N30 charged as transport fare; this is remarkable because it is affordable for the common man. The governor also introduced modernized taxi cabs across the state.
The Comrade Governor has done very well in terms of education as he built several primary and secondary schools across the state, and also provided free education at these levels.
Marton Wayans once said, “success is not a destination, but the road that you are one. Being successful means that you’re working hard and walking your walk everyday. You can only live your dream by working hard towards it. That’s living your dream.” Governor Adams Oshiomhole is indeed an epitome of success as he is living his dreams by fulfilling his promises to the state and the people of the state.
Compared to the eight years the PDP governed in the state, Governor Oshiomhole of the APC exceeded his predecessors in all dimensions.
It is glad to note that members of the APC in the state are upholding this legacy, and building on the bequests of the governor. Even a two-time governor of the old Midwest and Bendel State, Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia has commended the governor for his good works across the state.
Change is constant and dynamic, and the APC seems to be at the doorstep of this change. With sixteen years of the PDP rulership at the federal level, and eight years at the state level, a change has finally come with the APC taking the mantle of leadership. With its slogan ‘change’, the APC has outstandingly depicted that change. First of all, by bringing about a change in governance, and then through the various improvements it has provided, this proves that the APC is here to bring about a complete change in every nook and cranny of the country.
The APC’s magnificent victory in various elections in the country is also on the rise as they not only won in the presidential election, and major gubernatorial positions across the country, but also in the House of Assembly as out of the 24 House of Assembly seats in the 18 Local government Areas (LGAs) in the state, the APC candidates bagged 21 of the 24 house constituencies in the state; this is indeed a remarkable victory for the APC in the state.
The APC’s rising and established profile in the state, and in the country at large has come to stay, the 2016 governorship election in the state will require little work for them because of their already established profile in the state which they got with hardwork, determination, and dedication, compared to other political parties that will fight tooth and nail just to get that position.
Furthermore, the APC leaders across the country have contributed immensely to building this good image, and the members across the country have also kept the flag flying high.
In addition, taking an in depth look at the APC’s established profile in the country, there are lessons that other political parties, particularly the major opposition party, PDP should learn from.
Be Selfless:- This is a major advantage the APC has over the PDP. Their leaders and members across the country have demonstrated selflessness at all levels. For 16 years the PDP ruled this country, they came up with policies to the detriment of the masses, promises made were not fulfilled. But the APC members and leaders are known to stand by their words. When former governor of Lagos State, Barrister Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) took the mantle of leadership in 2007, he built on the good works of Tinubu in the state and even surpassed his predecessor in terms of all round development. Now Lagos is a place to be, it has been transformed into our own ‘London’. In like manner when Governor Adams Oshiomhole assumed office in 2008, he swung into action by revamping, refurbishing, and reconstructing the entirety of Edo state, thereby rescuing it from the tatterdemalion state it was in as at that time.
Maya Angelou wrote; “try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” The entire APC have indeed brought rainbows to so many persons cloud.
PDP leaders across the country need to learn to be selfless; as a public servant you take an oath to serve the people, hence, that oath needs to be upholded and you need to serve the people as promised.
Stop promoting hate campaigns:- This is very important because the PDP have been known to promote hate campaigns across the country, particularly in Edo State, with the PDP chairman, Dan Orbih using hate speeches against the APC in the state. He tooted his horns that the PDP presidential candidate, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will win the election, but the reverse was the case as he lost out to General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC.
Hate campaigns doesn’t make you gain more membership, rather, it makes you lose it, as depicted in Edo State where thousands of PDP members and their leaders are defecting to the ruling APC.
Work the talk, don’t talk the work
This is another paramount thing the PDP needs to take into consideration. Many times during campaigns, they make several promises, but as soon as they assume office, they do not do anything. The APC has been known for one important thing: ‘standing by their words,’ hence, their accountability has earned them the needed trust from the people. The PDP, its leaders and members need to take a queue from the  APC, and work the talk, not talk the work because this is what the citizens of our dear nation expects from them, and everyone in political positions.
Learn from past mistakes:- This is very significant, as this is definitely not a time for the PDP to blame themselves for past mistakes, rather, they should learn from those mistakes and build on their party and its members and also to learn not to repeat such mistake. Maya Angelou wrote, “We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” This is an important point the PDP needs to learn, though they encountered massive defeat in the last elections they should not be defeated, rather they should learn from past mistakes, and come out again to conquer. With this, they will certainly earn the trust of the people.
Be accountable: – Every political leader should learn to be accountable for his/her actions, they should learn to take responsibility for their actions, whether good or bad, rather than blaming others for it.
When you are accountable to those you are serving, you will definitely get their support at all times.
Conclusively, the APC’s rising and established profile across the country didn’t come in a day. It was built with the hardwork, resilience, and dedication of its leaders and members alike. Therefore, other political parties can be like them and even exceed them if only they can take these steps. ‘ The APC’s success in the last election was the result of their utmost preparation for it.
Maya Angelou wrote, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will  for what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. It’s all about touching the lives of people, putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians across the country, no matter your political party and ideology. Hence, other political parties should emulate the APC to ensure that together, they all achieve this.