Renewed Hope Unity Movement, a support group of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised the party to establish a better reward system for its loyalists.

The initiator and co-convener of the group, Iretidola Ojekhoa, gave the advice at an award night organised by the group on Friday in Abuja.

Ms Ojekhoa said 2014 marked the beginning of a political revolution and a watershed in party politics in Nigeria when the APC, a newly formed party, defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which it thought would rule for at least 60 years.

She, however, said most of those who worked for the party had yet to be rewarded, even when there were very experienced and professional patriots among them.

“The last ten years have proven one thing: the APC seems not interested in moulding and maintaining an organic membership.

“In fact, it has spawned a mercenary mentality among members as the party has been abysmal in recognising and rewarding loyalty.

“The APC of today is so unconcerned or unaware about the neglect of its core supporters; that commitment ebbs so fast among members; even the worst of the PDP days, it recognised its loyal members,” she said.

Ms Ojekhoa said, “Unfortunately, many who worked and are still working daily were never recognised, but watching others who they fought against at one point or another over party matters took up prominent places.”

“We see that their resilience is being tested and hope deferred has begun to make the heart weary; and so, we are standing in the gap and doing a little of what the party should have long done as a start in the journey of desired unity of purpose.

“As stated above, we have never promoted the idea of exclusivity in governance.”

Ms Ojekhoa said the event was to celebrate 10 years of loyalty of certain groups and individuals in APC who had never been celebrated, recognised, or honoured yet remained unwavering.

She said that some of those to be honoured were foot soldiers who canvassed the nooks and crannies of the nation 10 years ago, dispensing hope and mobilising support for the APC.

“We are here to celebrate those who have laboured for the party for these 10 years but never got a pat on the back.

“It is also to remind those who have conveniently forgotten their labour of love that our loyal members are still around, though neglected,” she said.

Ms Ojekhoa said that though every member of the party who worked for its victory could not be appointed, they deserved to be recognised and celebrated.

Ateli Emmanuel, the president, Amalgamated Nigerians, and chieftain of the party in FCT, expressed confidence in the Bola Tinubu-led administration, advised him to engage more youth and technocrats in his government.

(NAN)