Upcoming political office aspirants in Africa will do well in their aspirations if they engage the services of political consultants in the various aspects of their political engagements.
This advice was given by the former Interim Chairman, the Nigerian Chapter of the Association of Political Consultants-Africa, APCA, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon.
Okanlawon, who was speaking to journalists at the conclusion of the 4th Political Summit of the organization held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ended on Friday, said political aspirations in the 21st Century was beyond putting together some haphazard structures to realise political ambitions.
He stated that the organisation in Africa, which is an affiliate of the International Association of Political Consultants, IAPC, presented great opportunities for professionals in the area of political mobilisations, fund raising, 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.
“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 the third Kenya, have moved the organization 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
He disclosed that as part of the summit, leading Nigerian politician, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was honoured during the association’s Diamond Award while a new Chairman for the Nigerian Chapter, Ms Temitope Lakisokun was announced by the President of the African Chapter, Kehinde Bamgbetan.
Tinubu was represented at the presentation of the award by chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Mutiu Are.
