The National Organising Secretary (NOS) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Col Austin Akibundu (retd), today stands tall in the party, not because of his weight or physical build, but because of his skills in making things happen to the extent that he is indispensable in the day-to-day running of the party.

By virtue of his position as NOS, he comes into contact with almost every leadership member in all the organs of the party and outside the party’s national secretariat.

He is always on the move, seeing to the affairs of the party at the state level; and he is well known to party executives at state and local government chapters.

Party members attest to his uprightness, prudence and reliability. He has never been found wanting or accused of any complicity in the numerous PDP primary elections and congresses from ward to state levels and even the national convention.

Before becoming National Organisung Secretary, Akobundu has served the party at state, zonal and national assignments. He was a national ex-officio, two-time national vice-chairman, minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (minister of state for Defence).

He is well-tutored in party administration and understands the workings and challenges of the party.

A perfect team player, Akobundu believes that an assemblage of a good team of men and women that are well-grounded in party politics is what the PDP needed at the present moment to enable the party squarely face the challenges of being the major opposition party in the country at this particular time.

Of great concern to Akobundu is the fact the consciousness of having a stable party should be in the minds of every member, because PDP wants to provide a viral opposition and quality party administration to prepare members to face the challenges and evolve a process that will lead the party to victory in 2023..

An indigene of Oloko in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, the NOS had his early education in Enugu and Umuahia before attending the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA), where he obtained NDA Certificate on Education; he also has a Diploma in Telecom/Electronic Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Augustine Akobundu enlisted as an Officer Cadet of the 22 Regular Combatant Course of the Nigeria Defence Academy, in 1977. He also attended several professional and military courses in the Army School of Signals. He rose to the position as chief instructor of Nigerian Army School of Signals, combat communication wing.

He was once an Aide-de-camp (ADC) to Col Chris Garuba (retd) and also served as Military Technical Assistant to the pioneer Bayelsa State military administrator on telecommunication matters.

After retirement from office in 2000 as a lieutenant-colonel, he ventured into business as the Chairman of Nostro Group of Companies. He holds several awards and publications to his credit.