Former interim chairman, Association of Political Consultants-Africa (APCA), Nigerian chapter, Semiu Okanlawon, has advised aspiring political office holders to engage political consultants.
Okanlawon, who was speaking to journalists at the conclusion of the fourth political summit of the organisation held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday said political aspirations in the 21st century goes beyond putting together haphazard structures.
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He stated that the organisation in Africa, which is an affiliate of the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC), presents great opportunities for professionals in the area of political mobilisations, fundraising, surveys, lobbying, media and messaging and other vital areas to horn their skills towards delivering on their mandates.
“Since the umbrella body, IAPC was founded in 1968, political consultants have impacted greatly in different countries especially the United States, Canada and many European countries. Africa as a whole does not appear to have taken the advantage and that has taken its toll on the delivery of political aspirations and even when candidates finally get elected.
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“This is the area we have focused on building since the APCA was formed in South Africa at our maiden summit. There are challenges in ensuring many African countries get cracking but certainly, there have been improvements since 2016 after the first summit. The second held in Nigeria and third in Kenya last year have moved the organisation forward.
“In Nigeria, as well as in other African countries, we are calling on politicians to critically review their engagements and take advantage of the special skills which professionals have acquired to improve their engagements,” Okanlawon added
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He disclosed that as part of the summit, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Bola Tinubu, was honoured during the association’s Diamond Award while president of the African chapter, Kehinde Bamigbetan, announced Temitope Lakisokun as new chairman for the Nigerian chapter.
Tinubu was represented at the presentation of the award by another APC chieftain, Mutiu Are.
