Consultants charge politicians on professionalism

Upcoming political office aspirants in Africa will excel, if they engage the services of political consultants for their political engagements.

The immediate past Interim Chairman, of the Nigerian Chapter of the Association of Political Consultants-Africa (APCA), Semiu Okanlawon, said this at the end of the 4th Political Summit of the organisation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

He noted that political aspirations in the 21st century go beyond putting together some haphazard structures to realise political ambitions.

He stated that the organisation in Africa, an affiliate of the International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC) presents great opportunities for professionals in the area of political mobilisation, fund raising, surveys, lobbying, media and messaging and other vital areas to hone 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 that advantage, which has taken its toll on the delivery of political aspirations and even when candidates finally get elected.

He disclosed that as part of the summit, a 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.