APC Must Not Sideline Founding Members for New Defectors, Warns Tein Jack-Rich

Tein Jack-Rich, a prominent businessman and politician, has issued a stern warning to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the integration of new members into the party's fold. Speaking in Abuja while submitting his nomination forms for the Rivers West Senatorial seat, Jack-Rich emphasized that while the influx of new entrants is beneficial for democratic expansion, the party must not displace its founding members and loyalists who have been instrumental in its growth.

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What is important to the party is to continue to recognise and honour legacy members who have been there from inception, while also accommodating new entrants for growth.

Jack-Rich, articulating a sentiment likely shared by many within the APC's established base, drew an analogy of nurturing one's biological child while adopting new ones, stressing the need for a delicate balance. He recounted the difficult periods when the APC faced skepticism and opposition, highlighting the sacrifices made by early supporters. "We were there when they called us names. I was there when they didn’t believe in us and when they tried to stop us," he stated, expressing a firm resolve that founding members should not be marginalized now that the party holds power at the federal level.

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It is important to hold dearly your biological child while adopting new children. That balance must be maintained.

His senatorial ambition is framed not just as a personal pursuit but as a continuation of his long-standing dedication to the APC. Jack-Rich highlighted his extensive experience, spanning over 28 years in the oil and gas industry, as a key qualification to represent Rivers West, a region he described as a strategic economic zone and a major oil-producing district. He expressed strong confidence in securing victory at the party primaries and the general election, promising to leverage his expertise to contribute meaningfully to legislative work, particularly in the energy sector, and to help the president achieve oil production goals. His message is clear: loyalty and foundational contributions must be recognized and rewarded within the APC's evolving political landscape.

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We were there when they called us names. I was there when they didn’t believe in us and when they tried to stop us.