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  • Enugu APC group hails national chairman for stabilising party

    Enugu APC group hails national chairman for stabilising party

    A political pressure group in Enugu State, IFEDICHE Political Family, has commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, for what it described as his successful repositioning of the party for greatness.

    According to the group, known for its grassroots mobilisation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Enugu State Governor, Barr. Peter Mbah, Yilwatda’s leadership has restored internal cohesion within the APC and made the party the preferred platform for many elected and aspiring politicians across Nigeria.

    The commendation was issued at the official inauguration of the group’s ward and local government executives, held over the weekend in Achi, Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    Speaking at the event, members of the group applauded the APC national chairman for “controlling and resolving the internal crises that previously bedevilled the party’s national leadership.”

    During the ceremony, a motion moved by Hon. Ugochukwu Okpala, the Awgu Local Government Coordinator of the group, and seconded by a party stakeholder, Walter Madu, saw the pressure group unanimously passing a vote of confidence on Prof. Yilwatda.

    They endorsed him to remain in office as national chairman and be re-elected at the party’s next national convention.

    According to them, sustained peace within the APC under his leadership would ensure orderliness and strengthen the party’s chances of victory in the 2027 general elections and beyond.

    The inauguration was performed by the Enugu State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Agenda 2027, Mazi Ezenwa Onyirimba, and was attended by various party stakeholders from the area.

    In his remarks, Mazi Onyirimba said the inauguration of the IFEDICHE Political Family—his brainchild—would further consolidate the group’s work across the 41 wards in the Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, also known as Greater Awgu.

    He assured members that their commitment and contributions to the growth of the APC in the constituency would not go unrewarded.

    Expressing delight at what he called the “new political dynamics” in Enugu State, Onyirimba noted that many PDP stakeholders, including Governor Mbah, had recently defected to the APC.

    He urged his followers to welcome the new entrants and work harmoniously with them.

    “Initially, we were branded agents of Boko Haram and political enemies of Ndigbo. But today, our party, the APC, is now accepted in Enugu State. I thank you all for your perseverance and hard work and urge you to continue in that direction,” he said.

    Onyirimba further assured members that the APC, under Yilwatda’s leadership, remains committed to the progress and welfare of party supporters, especially those who nurtured the party from inception.

    He emphasised that the core philosophy of the IFEDICHE Political Family is anchored on members’ welfare and progress, encouraging them to remain supportive of one another.

    He added that empowerment programmes would trickle down from the national level, stressing that the Yilwatda-led APC is keen on ensuring that such benefits reach grassroots members across remote communities.

  • Enugu APC leaders condemn attack, disruption of party rally by suspected thugs

    Enugu APC leaders condemn attack, disruption of party rally by suspected thugs

    Leaders of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Enugu State have condemned attack on party members and destruction of canopies and plastic seats by alleged agents of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), in an attempt to forestall a reception rally for defectors into APC at St. Charles Catholic Church field, Opi, Nsukka at the weekend.

    The party leaders, including Minister of Innovation Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; the state party chairman, Barr Ugochukwu Agballah; three members of the House of Representatives: Hon Sunday Umeha (Udi/Ezeagu), Hon. Chimobi Atu (Enugu North/Enugu South), Hon. Prof. Paul Nnamchi (Enugu East/Isiguzo); and former Commissioner for Lands in the state, Barr Peter Okonkwo, gave the Enugu State government and the PDP 24 hours to Condemn or admit responsibility for the unprovoked attack.

    Despite the attacks, the party leaders rallied members to receive more than 1000 decampees from PDP, Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), African Democratic Party (ADP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP) into the APC.

    Speaking at the event, Minister Nnaji praised the determination of people of Nsukka and the defectors for standing their ground, and assured the defectors that their decision to join APC was the best decision they have taken politically.

    “So we thank all of you for this wonderful gathering, we are not afraid of anybody, we fear nobody. If they like to let them come here 10 times, it will not deter anybody from coming to do our rally. And I thank Nsukka people, despite all the harassment, you are still able to come here in your thousands to come and welcome us.

    “We are here to receive our people who are joining our party, APC, the party at the federal level. Our people say that it’s when one raises his mouth that one receives food. Our people are not in APC and we are making it possible by what we are doing for our people; by the capacity the president is showing, by the infrastructure the president is bringing into Enugu state, we are making it work for our people.

    “It is on the mandate of Mr. President that we have been able to give a lot of employment to our people. It’s on the mandate of our people and the president of this country that we are able to build two major roads into and out of Nsukka.

    “It’s on the mandate of the people that today we can boast that an Nsukka man is the Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). It’s the president that is doing all these things for us, and we say thank you to the President and Commander – in- Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.”

    Chief Nnaji stated that the problem in Enugu state was that some people were trying to reap where they did not sow, noting that “somebody inherited a vibrant party like PDP and within two years he destroyed PDP and is now trying to defect to another party.”

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    On his part, a major stakeholder of APC in Nsukka (Enugu North) senatorial district and former Commissioner for Housing in the State, Barr Peter Okonkwo, recounted how the venue was attacked three times with sporadic shooting in the air, while the people remained resilient.

    “Honourable Minister, let me officially tell you that Enugu state government militia known as Neighbourhood Watch, known as Forest Guard, attacked this gathering here three times today. They came the first time they attacked us, we were so resilient, we regrouped again and came back. They attacked us, we were so resilient and we are here again. They destroyed properties worth millions in this attack, they assaulted people, they wounded people, they were shooting double-barreled guns against our people.

    “The poster of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was torn to pieces, defaced and destroyed. They are attacking us with the state militia because we insisted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must do his second term. Are we shifting ground? Nooo! Let me send a loud message and clearly, the state government should be prepared to attack us more. The more they attack us, the more we go for President Ahmed Tinubu, the more they shoot at us with double-barreled guns, the more we go for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. After three consecutive attacks and this teeming population here, these masses, these women still came back to this arena to support the second tenure of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “Hon Minister, if you get back, tell Mr. President that the Nsukka zone of Enugu state is willing to take more bullets for him…”

    The state chairman of APC, Barr. Agballah received the more than 1000 defectors and handed them brooms, the symbol of the party.

    Agballah decried what he described as the same pattern of attack, recalling that the party was similarly attacked at Aboh in Udi local government and Ogrute in Igbo-Eze North local government area respectively and in each case, the party had to change the venue of their reception rally; noting that this time around, they resisted the attackers and remained at the venue.

    The House of Rep members, Umeha, Atu and Nnamchi gave the state government 24 hours to condemn or admit to the attacks.

    They quoted a statement credited to late military dictator, Gen Sani Abacha to the effect that when an insurgency or crime lasts more than 24 hours without the culprits being apprehended and treated according to the law, then the government must have been responsible for such a dastardly act.

    The federal lawmakers stated that it was time that Enugu and Ndigbo connected to the centre citing the benefits to include a recent federal university signed into law to be sited at Ako Nike in Enugu state, among several other projects and tertiary institutions sited in different parts of South East under President Tinubu’s administration

  • Who will save Enugu APC from self-destruction?

    Who will save Enugu APC from self-destruction?

    By Uguru Eze

    The story of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Enugu State is an “anti-climax.” From once being the government in waiting in a state dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999, APC is today almost totally out of reckoning in the state.

    When the party debuted in the State during the 2015 general elections, the ruling PDP suffered sleepless nights. Notable names within the APC fold at inception include former Secretary to State Government, Onyemuche Nnamani, Anike Nwoga, Osita Okechukwu, Emma Eneukwu who is currently the Deputy National Chairman of APC, and Brigadier General Joseph Okoloagu (rtd.).

    It also had in its camp the likes of Hon. Ejike Eze, currently the Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC) in Enugu State, Okechukwu Ezea, currently serving as Senator under the platform of Labour Party (LP), Mrs. Kate Offor, Major General Chris Eze (rtd.) and Dr. Ben Nwoye, the pioneer state chairman of the party.

    The day that General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd,), the then Presidential Candidate of the APC came to campaign at the Michael Okpara Square, Independence Layout Enugu, the arena was filled to capacity. The roaring crowd of party faithful that received Buhari rattled PDP. Sensing defeat, PDP resorted to propaganda, warning the people to beware of voting for a “Boko Haram” party.

    In spite of the propaganda deployed against APC by PDP, the “change party” still came second in the presidential election in Enugu, behind the then ruling party, polling 14,157. The ruling PDP polled over 500,000 votes. In the governorship election, APC polled 43, 839 votes to emerge as first runner up to PDP, which scored 482,277 votes.

    The initial setback of 2015 did not deter Enugu APC as it leveraged on the victory of Muhammadu Buhari in the presidential election to grow from strength to strength. Week in week out, political heavy weights, both the new and old brigades, joined the ruling federal train of APC in Enugu.

    The notable entrants were former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, Senator Jim Nwobodo, Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, and former PDP women leader, Oby Nwofor. The immediate past Governor at that time, Sullivan Chime, alongside some of his commissioners, abandoned the PDP for APC.

    Luckily for the ruling party, Geoffrey Onyeama, an innocent outsider was offered the ministerial slot for Enugu by Buhari on a platter, to the dismay of many of the founding members of the party. Being a technocrat with little partisan background, Onyeama lacked the gravitas to hold the party together, leading to incessant intra-party squabbles.

    Regardless, APC soldiered on in Enugu, defying all the odds, including financial constraints, to remain relevant in the state. Its ranks in Enugu grew with the influx of bigwigs like former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Eugene Odo and Sen. Ayogu Eze (now late). These gains reflected in the performance of APC in Enugu state during the 2019 general elections.

    Although PDP won the presidential election once more with 355.553 votes, APC retained the second position with 54,423 votes, a figure which quadrupled the 13,003 votes that it polled in 2015. However, the comparative success in the presidential election could not be replicated in the governorship election because of intra-party crisis. Undaunted, Enugu APC moved on, hoping to consolidate on the modest gains of the 2019 general elections.

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    Things, however, turned awry during the congress for the election of party officers in 2021. From nowhere, Ugochukwu Agballah emerged as the state chairman of the party. Prior to his emergence, Agballah had no history whatsoever in APC, being not only a card carrying member of the PDP, but also a Special Adviser to the then PDP Governor in in the State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    Both the rank and file of APC in Enugu totally rejected his imposition on them as Chairman, believed to be the handiwork of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State. Consequently, critical stakeholders led by the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and then Minister of Foreign Affairs staged a protest to the national secretariat of the party in Abuja, where they demanded for the immediate removal of Agballah.

    The high-powered delegation also comprised Sullivan Chime, late Ayogu Eze, Eugene Odo, General Okoloagu, Ifeanyi Nwoga, Onyemuche Nnamani and Osita Okechukwu. Without mincing words, the party bigwigs told the then National Chairman, Abdulahi Adamu that the “American wonder” which produced a staunch PDP member as state chairman of APC in Enugu must not be allowed to stand.

    Adamu listened to the complaints and received the petition of the delegation. However, insiders believe that Uzodimma used his influence to sustain Agballah as the chairman of APC against the wishes of the generality of party members. By the time the 2023 election drew nearer, the crisis arising from the emergence of Agballah as the Chairman left APC in Enugu in tatters.

    A party that had six serious governorship aspirants in 2019, became so unattractive that only one aspirant, Uche Nnaji, expressed interest in the governorship ticket of the party. Prior to his indication of interest in the APC governorship ticket, Nnaji made his last public outing in Enugu politics as a prominent member of the Ali Modu Sherrif faction of PDP.

    Incidentally, Uzodimma also belonged to the same Modu Sheriff faction in Imo PDP until 2019 when he switched over to APC to vie for the governorship ticket with then Governor Rochas Okorocha’s in-law, Uche Nwosu. This was the unholy alliance between Nnaji and Uzodinma. The rest is history.

    Majority of the original members of APC in Enugu state were alienated. Reports had it that even those who grudgingly supported Agballah were also angry that the huge 2023 presidential campaign dollar war-chest disbursed to Enugu State, was not transparently distributed.

    Predictably, in the 2023 general elections, APC lost its position as the main opposition party in Enugu. In the presidential election, it dropped to the third position, managing to score 4,772 votes representing 1.04 percent of the total votes cast, a far cry from over 54,000 it polled in 2019 to claim the second position. Labour Party won a landslide in the presidential election in Enugu, followed by PDP. The LP also won two out of the three senatorial seats and majority of the House of Representatives seats.

    Although the PDP retained the governorship seat, it lost the majority in the House of Assembly to the LP. Even with the dreaded federal might, APC came fourth in the governorship polls and did not even win one House of Assembly seat.

    Rather than being ashamed that President Tinubu scored the lowest votes in Enugu State out of the 36 states of the federation, Nnaji and Agballa allegedly moved to Abuja to lobby for ministerial slot. They grabbed the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, where Nnaji was appointed Minister, and out of fear of facing retributive justice, adopted the strategy of tormenting the foundation members of the party with all manner of scotch earth policy, including indiscriminate suspension and even expulsion, based on often vague, concocted and fabricated allegations of anti-party activities. Among those axed were Ken Nnamani, Eugene Odo, Geofrey Onyeama, Osita Okechukwu, Sullivan Chime and Ginika Tor.

    As of the time of writing this article, APC members in Enugu State lived in palpable fear of the party Chairman’s impunity, unsure of the next person to be axed. The reckless conduct of the Chairman caused the recent factionalisation of the party at a time that plans are underway to hold council elections in the State. Unless something is done very quickly, APC will likely not participate.

    The actions of the Enugu APC leadership were seen as detrimental to both the government and the growth of the party. Rather than suspend party members, a serious party leadership should have strived to expand its support base for future electoral contests. In addition, the party needs to grow stronger to be able to actualise the President’s renewed hope agenda for Nigerian people.

    Besides, there is no better time for APC to seize power in Enugu State than now. In less than 18 months of the administration of Governor Peter Mba, the people are already exerted by excessive multiple taxation. Businesses that lasted for generations have been wiped out through demolition, without any form of compensation paid to the owners. The spaces have been taken over by the government, not for building of industries, schools, hospitals and affordable houses, but erection of inter-city and inter-state bus terminals.

    Mba who acts like a sole administrator in Enugu, ostracized all those who helped him to come to power, forgetting that his election was the most turbulent in Enugu since 1999. Indeed, stakeholders from across party line worked together assiduously, even sticking out their necks to make sure that he becomes governor. Now, most of the stakeholders no longer have access to him.

    Those from the PDP side who the governor has distanced himself from include former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and former Deputy Governor Cecilia Ezeilo, Hon. Patrick Asadu, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, Toby Okechukwu, Festus Uzo, Emeka Odo, Ikeje Asogwa and Dan Shere. Others are Hon. Ozo Mgbachi, Vita Abba, Offor Chukwuegbo, Nana Ogbodo and USA Igwesi who out of obvious frustration with the behavior of the Governor, suffered stroke.

    According to sources, he derides his Nkanu clan and all the leaders who supported him are now his targets, including former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, who appointed him as his Chief of Staff and later, Commissioner. Nnamani’s property in Rangers Avenue have been forcefully annexed by the government for building a five-star hotel. The former governor has reportedly been running helter skelter to save his property.  

    On the APC side, those Mba distanced himself from are former Senate President, Ken Nnamani and Chuka Utazi, who prior to Mba’s election belonged to PDP. This is to mention but a few.  All these people are now unwanted guests at the Lion Building Enugu under the current government.

    In a twist of events, while Agballah and Nnaji are playing the Roman Roulette, Governor Mba is doing everything to appease the leadership of APC at the national level and the presidency in a bid to corner the ticket of the party for his second term bid. There is no doubt that given the recent developments in Enugu and the crisis tearing Labour Party apart, APC holds the prospects of providing the most viable platform, to change the ‘zoom government’, which has taken the state 10 years backwards through the implementation of anti-people policies and programmes. The people in Enugu are tired of the government.

    The National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and President Tinubu should as a matter of urgency, act quickly by setting up a committee to scrutinize the affairs of APC in Enugu State. The state occupies a strategic position in the politics of the South East.

    • Eze, a political commentator, writes from Enugu

  • ‘Enugu APC ready to review suspension of ex-governor, Senate president, others’ 

    ‘Enugu APC ready to review suspension of ex-governor, Senate president, others’ 

    The Enugu chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its readiness to possibly reintegrate those previously suspended or expelled and welcome new members into Its fold.

    The decision was contained in an eleven-point communiqué released at the end of the party’s stakeholders meeting in Enugu weekend.

    It will be recalled that Enugu APC had shortly after the 2023 general elections suspended and expelled prominent members of the party over alleged anti-party activities.

    Those either expelled or suspended included: former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; former Governor of the state, Barr Sullivan Chime; former Speaker of the State Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odoh; former Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu; former state party chairman, Barr. Ben Nwoye; and recently the member representing Enugu State in the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Mrs Ginika Tor.

    But, in a communique read by the party’s state secretary, Dr. Robert Ngwu, the stakeholders said the review of the suspension or expulsion of any member would be “contingent on sincere repentance and abandonment of sabotage instincts, fifth columnism, anti-party acts, and all divisive actions.”

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    Among those who attended the stakeholders meeting are: leader of the party in the state and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uchenna Nnaji; APC National Deputy Chairman, South, Chief Emma Eneukwu; APC National Vice Chairman South East, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu and others.

    The stakeholders unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the State Executive Committee (SEC) led by the State Chairman of the APC, The Hon. Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, and the Leader of the Party in Enugu State, Chief Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

    “Their leadership was credited for the strategic enhancement of the party’s position within the state. The meeting served as a platform to reaffirm that the party at the state level is united with no factional divisions,” the communique reads.

    The stakeholders extended heartfelt felicitations to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on his 72nd birthday, noting the auspicious alignment with Good Friday and the Holy month of Ramadan. 

    “The President’s desire for a solemn and reflective birthday, in keeping with these significant religious observances, was commended and upheld by the stakeholders.

    “The stakeholders lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for initiating economic reforms, particularly acknowledging the gradual stabilization of foreign exchange. They likened the current economic challenges to the pains of childbirth, which ultimately lead to joy, echoing the President’s analogy and urging patience amongst Nigerians.”

    The stakeholders expressed admiration for the innovative strides and impactful leadership of the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, recognizing his contributions, particularly in facilitating the employment of youths. 

    They encouraged the minister to continue his efforts in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the state and the nation.

    The stakeholders unanimously and vigorously supported the leadership of the APC in Enugu State in their resolute commitment to hold all state public office holders accountable, particularly those appointed into federal positions through the state’s nomination. 

    The party emphasizes that the vociferous media controversy led by certain misinformed and dissatisfied individuals was the result of a call for greater accountability. 

    “In light of this, the stakeholders openly request Mrs. Ginika Tor, Enugu State’s representative at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), to disclose the list of employment placements she has secured over the past four years”. 

    Highlight of the event was reception of new members into the party, a group that includes, but is not limited to: Sen. Chuka Utazi, the former Senator representing Enugu North, along with other dignitaries who joined alongside him, including former elected Council Chairmen from the LGAs within the Enugu North Senatorial zone.

    Others are Amb. Akuabata Fidelia Njeze, former Minister of Aviation, former Minister of Defence, and former Ambassador to Switzerland, Comrade Chuka Idoko, the erstwhile senatorial candidate of ADC for the Enugu North LGA, Ambassador Jonathan Eze, Chief Goddy Jinegwo, a prominent and esteemed businessman, Barr. Mrs. Ada Odeh, and Barrister Umunna Ugwu.

  • INEC omits APC guber candidate in Enugu

    All Progressives Congress (APC) may not field a governorship candidate in Enugu state for the February 9 gubernatorial election.

    A final list for the March 9 governorship election published on the website of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that Enugu APC had no candidate.

    The list signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, Secretary, INEC, said it was in obedience to court order as the party was yet to submit a fresh name after Ayogu was sacked.

    In the 330-page final list of candidates, Enugu occupied pages 100 to 111, with the APC having candidate.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, had allegedly sacked Senator Ayogu Eze as the governorship candidate of the party in Enugu State.

    In the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice I. Ekwo of the Federal High Court 5, the court asked the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognize Barr. George Ogara as the candidate.

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    However the APC National Working Committee (NWC), which earlier declared that Ayogu was still the candidate known to the party was yet to obey the order of the court, which had asked that Ogara’s name be submitted to the INEC.

    The Ayogu Eze campaign organization, however could not offer any reaction to the development.

    The spokesman of the campaign organization, Okey Ezerigwe told The Nation that Ayogu Eze was in Abuja to tackle the issue, assuring that “he is making some progress and is due back to Enugu on Tuesday.”

     

     

  • Ayogu Eze and the crisis in Enugu APC

    Now that the Federal High Court, Abuja Division has in a judgment delivered on Tuesday February 5, by Justice InyangEkwo ordered that the name of Barrister George Ogara be immediately forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the duly nominated governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, what next for Senator AyoguEzehitherto parading himself as the party’s governorship candidate in the state?

    This, according to the judgment, is because Ogara scored the highest number of votes cast in the 270 wards of the 17 council areas in the state during the primaries. The judge further restrained INEC from accepting any other name than Ogara for purpose of governorship election in the state.   With this judgement, justice has been done, not only to Ogara, but to the foundation members and entire genuine APC faithful in the state that were before now shortchanged and disappointed by the imposition of Senator Eze and his cohorts as party’s candidates by the Ben Nwoye-led faction of the party. To the foundation members of the party in the state, the judgment did not come as a surprise, considering the compromised and controversial circumstances that brought about Senator Eze’s defection to the party, his subsequent hijack of the party structure in flagrant disobedience of the party’s constitution and guidelines to impose himself and his cohorts as party’s candidates. Handy to assist them in this illegality as now affirmed by the court judgment was Dr. Ben Nwoye-led faction of the party. This was done against the plea and advice of majority party leaders and members, who had warned that handing over the party tickets to unpopular PDP defectors with no political followers or value and against the party’s constitution, would be counter-productive.

    Senator Eze and his cohorts in their usual hubris and arrogance had believed that so long as the national leadership accepted their kangaroo emergence as party’s candidates, it is over for Ogara and other aggrieved party members. The party leadership even went out its way to harass some aggrieved members by ordering them not to approach courts to seek redress from the fallouts of the primaries until President MuhammaduBuhari countered the leadership and urged aggrieved members to explorethe judicial option.

    Not even a sponsored attack on Ogara’s campaign office, opposite Ogui Enugu Fire Service Station, where three buses were burnt beyond repairs discouraged or daunted Ogara’s push for justice over his stolen mandate.Now that Deacon OkeyOgbodo-led executive and Ogara’s efforts in this direction have paid off with the recent judgement affirming Ogara as the party’s authentic governorship candidate in the state, one can comfortably say that APC in Enugu State has been rescued from the undertakers who wanted to reap where they did not sow. Even though, these defectors have done much damage on the party’s chances of winning the next elections in the state, with this judgment, unity, understanding and support of the party’s stakeholders and members, coupled with Ogara’s popularity and acceptance, the situation could be salvaged in a matter of days before the elections. While Senator Eze licks his self-inflicted political wound for now, it behovesOgara to hit the ground running, because time is of essence.

    It was obvious from the inception that these defectors were not in the APC for the progress, growth and peace of the party ahead of the forthcoming elections. They defected to APC few days to the primaries to hijack the party platform to promote their immediate selfish political interests and abandon the party thereafter. This was made clear by the way and manner they carried on after the fallouts of the primaries that tore the party apart. Instead of working for peace and genuine reconciliation after the primaries, Senator Eze and cohorts carried on as if nothing was wrong with their emergence as party’s candidates in the elections. This is even when it was obvious that their emergence lacked the support of majority party stakeholders and members in the state. Indeed, anybody who had followed Senator Eze’s activities and campaigns in the state before the judgment was delivered would have observed that the campaigns lacked the expected momentum and followership, especially among the voters and party faithful. Not even President Buhari’s recent visit to Enugu for the rally, where he raised Eze’s hand changed anything given the palpable nonchalance of the majority voters and party faithful towards Eze’s candidature. Again, the jubilation of Eze’s sack by party members in the state is a confirmation of his unpopularity and non-acceptance among the party faithful.

    The court judgment is not only a huge setback to his governorship ambition, the same fate he had suffered in the PDP in 2015, it is a double political tragedy for a man, who had always believed he can do it alone, forgetting that politics is about the people and carrying them along. Well, it may be true as being widely insinuated and rumoured that Senator Eze is not truly contesting the governorship election in the first place, knowing that he is not popular in the state, but rather trying to use the election as a bargaining chip for federal appointment if APC wins the presidential election. Whatever is Senator Eze’s game plan for political survival, what is important and gladdening to genuine APC stakeholders and faithful in the state is that the party has been rescued from the interlopers and we have the responsibility of rebuilding and repositioning the party collectively for better performance in the forthcoming elections.

    While all those that contributed to the party’s crises need to be reprimanded for dragging the party to the mud for selfish reasons, there is need to ensure that such does not repeat itself again. The party should never tolerate or allow the case of Monkey dey work, Baboon dey chop again as witnessed in the case of Senator Eze and his co-defectors who were handed party’s tickets in a kangaroo primary few days after defecting to the party. This will help to avoid protracted legal tussle that will hold the party down in subsequent elections. If not for the timely court judgment that sacked Eze and his co-defectors as the party’s candidates, what would have been the fate of the APC, its stakeholders and members in the state in the elections? It would have been a disastrous outing. With Ogara as the party’s candidate now, the party will surely bounce back to reckoning and quickly too.

     

    • Agboeze wrote from Abakpa-Nike, Enugu State.

  • Enugu APC and its festering crises

    Instead of being resolved amicably, the spate of crises rocking the All Progressives Congress, Enugu chapter has continued to fester close to the elections. The development is not surprising. A child who says his mother won’tsleepwill not also sleep. Immediately the impostors, who were unpopular and lost out in the PDP hijacked the APC in the state from the foundation members, using the factional state executive led by Dr. Ben Nwoye, it became obvious that there would be more troubles in the party in the days ahead. These troubles are gradually manifesting and those responsible for it are crying foul. Why now? When they failed to do the needful at the appropriate time, thinking that swashbuckling, arrogance and oppressionwill guarantee them victory in the elections. In short, not too long ago, two campaign buses of a factional APC gubernatorial candidate in the state, George Ogara were burnt in front of his campaign office in Enugu. Accusing fingers were pointed at Ben Nwoye’s led faction of the party in the state. Till date, the accused faction has neither denied nor accepted responsibility for the crime. In this situation, one cannot say that silence is golden. Thus, this ugly development is a clear indication of disunity and confusion in the party.

    Having seen that they have been deserted by the founding members, majority of the party faithful and voters in the state for clear reasons seethe Ben Nwoye- led factionas behaving like a bull in china’s shop as it is now dawned on them that their faction’s candidates for the elections are without people’s support. As drowning people looking for straw to hold or who to go down with, Nwoye’s faction recently attacked Senator Ken Nnamani, accusing him of anti-party activities, just for the mere fact that Nnamaniattended a function in his village, where he acknowledged and praised the good works of Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Nwoye’s action is a pointer that he lacks political sagacity and maturity to understand that good governance cannot be sacrificed on the altar of partisan politics. Nwoye seems to have forgotten that Nnamani before becoming a member of APC, was and is still, a major stakeholder in Enugu State. He is not a wait- and- take politician or leader who shies away from saying the truth for selfish reasons. Nnamani has made a name in public office and has always shown patriotism and altruism in the affairs of his state and the country, irrespective of his political leaning. He is a strong advocate of good governance and peace. That is even the reason the APC leadership and the presidency received him with open arms when he joined APC and the party went ahead to give him prominent role in their 2019 presidential campaign. The party knows his leadership worth and has recognized him accordingly.

    So not even thousands of Nwoyes can taintNnamani’s hard-earned reputation by levelling unsubstantiated allegation against his personality. If Nwoye alleges that Nnamani’s comment on Governor Ugwuanyi’s sterling performance in office amounts to anti-party, what will he say about President Muhammadu Buhari riding in the same car with Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal recently in Sokoto when Buhari paid condolence visit to late ex-president Shehu Shagari’s family?

    This is considering the fact that Tambuwal has not only defected from APC to PDP, he has strongly criticised Buhari government. In Ogun State, the outgoing governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who is a strong member of APC is backing opposition candidate to succeed him in office. This was after he lost out in APC governorship power struggle in the state. The same thing is happening in Imo State, where the outgoing governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, who is a senatorial candidate of APC is backing his son-in-law, UcheNwosu in opposition party to succeed him in office. This did not stop the APC leadership and the presidency from including Okorocha’s wife in the APC Presidential Campaign Council. Examples are endless and it is clear that Nigeria has passed the era of primordial and primitive politics.

    Nwoye’s outburst is nothing, but expression of phobia, having realised that defeat awaits APC in the forthcoming elections in the state, especially in the governorship. It is quite unfortunate that Nwoye’s faction allowed undertakers and impostors to rubbish the gains made in the party over the years by handing them the party tickets at ease. What should be of worry toNwoye is that as the elections draw close, APC campaign activities in the state is at its lowest. This is because the aggrieved party faithful are avoiding the candidates for they are not popular. Some party members are of the opinion that the election in the state is PDP versus PDP as the foundation members of APC are now spectators in the game, having being cheated out by the defectors. That is the true position of thing in Enugu APC.

    So for Nwoye and his allies who compromised the party’s fortunes in the state for selfish interests, there is no justification transferring aggression to Nnamani. After all, Nnamani and other APC chieftains had warned against  handing the party’s tickets to impostors and unpopular people, who defected to the party few days to the primaries. But the likes of Nwoye and other politicians who work with him never listened because their major concern then was their immediate and personal benefits. It is so sad that apart from not being popular, majority of APC candidates in the state have no financial wherewithal to bankroll their campaigns and elections. Not even party members or public-spirited individuals are willing to risk their hard earned resources supporting them, knowing full well that they are not popular. While Nwoye’s apprehension and frustration is understandable, he should be bold enough to take responsibility for the party’s misfortunes in the state, instead of engaging in buckpassing. Nwoye should also be bold enough to respond to issues raised by Deacon Okey Ogbodo-led faction that questioned the morality of his attack on Nnamani, when he is responsible for the party’s woes. It is not necessary for Nnamani for dignify Nwoye with response, because Nwoye-led faction is like a troop without commander in the state ahead of the elections.

     

    • Agboeze, wrote from Abakpa Nike, Enugu.

  • Enugu APC crisis and the governorship election

    Before the 2019 party primaries, there was relative peace and camaraderie in All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State. The party and its members co-existed and co-habited, side by side with other political parties and their members without any problem. That has been the spirit of partisan politics in the coal city.

    With the conduct of the party congresses in May, APC became factionalised between Deacon Okey Ogbodo-led group and Dr. Ben Nwoye-led group. While efforts were being made to resolve the differences between the two factions, the party primary commenced with disenchanted party faithful taking different positions. What made matter worse for APC during its primaries were the actions and inactions of some defectors, who jumped into the party to grab tickets after losing out in Peoples Democratic Party and at the expense of the foundation members of the party in the state.

    These defectors desperately deployed everything at their disposal including money, blackmail and mudslinging to cow the foundation members of the party to have their ways. In their unholy exploits and desperation, the defectors relied mostly on the new national leadership of the party led by Adams Oshiohmole, a man who, apparently did not understand the undercurrents and peculiarities of Enugu politics. That was why the party leadership single-handedly and suddenly changed the mode of primary in the state from direct to indirect, when the exercise was already half way.

    Among these defectors is Senator Ayogu Eze. A member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was in political hibernation for years, while challenging in court the outcome of 2015 PDP governorship primary he lost to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Ayogu joined APC less than two months to the party primary and schemed his way to grab the party’s governorship ticket. Since the primaries were concluded, APC has not known peace in the state, even though the party leadership has published Ayogu Eze as their candidate, another aspirant, Barrister George Ogara of Deacon Okey Ogobdo-led faction has continued to lay claim to the party’s ticket. The development has engendered more crises in the party than ever expected or imagined. Neither the party leadership nor these defectors have solution to the crises as major party stakeholders and followers have deserted the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the ongoing campaign in the state.

    Also at Federal High Court Enugu was a pending suit instituted by a registered member of APC in the state, Ifeanyi Onwuamaze, asking the court to nullify all the primaries conducted by the party in the state as the open ballot system of voting adopted, violated Section 37 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

    One of the foundation members of the party in the state and Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON) Osita Okechukwu, who was obviously schemed out of the primaries, described the exercise as a mere charade. Just like Okechukwu, other aggrieved party members who are in majority and have not spoken out are quietly waiting to take their own pound of flesh during the election.

    While it could be said that no one is indispensable in a party, some individuals are and should not be treated with disdain for any reason. This is because of their political relevance and immense contributions in building the party structure.  The likes of Osita Okechukwu, Captain Joe Orji (rtd), Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu and others APC chieftains, who were short-changed in the primaries, are not happy with the manner the defectors hijacked and manipulated the exercise in their favour. So, where lies the party loyalty?

    Saying that Eze is not popular in the state is an understatement. After being in the senate for eight years relying on existing PDP structure in the state, Eze was nowhere in the politics of the state since 2015 when he lost out in the PDP governorship primary. So, where is his popularity to justify giving him APC ticket less than a month he joined the party? The PDP structure that made Eze’s senatorial ambition possible for eight years is intact and under the control of the incumbent state governor. How many political bigwigs defected with Eze from PDP in the state, apart from few that were seeking cover from anti-graft agencies?

    Even in his zone, Enugu North, the incumbent governor of the state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has more followers and presence than him. The statistics and facts are there. It is verifiable. Majority of those that were given APC tickets in the state were some who lost out in PDP primaries due to their lack of popularity.  APC national leadership and the presidency shouldn’t expect short-changed and aggrieved party members to support candidates that were imposed on them without justification.

    Since grabbing the APC ticket, Eze, by his actions and utterances, has shown that he is not a team and accessible player, who is willing to carry people along. He has been carrying on as if all is well in the party; all in a bid to deceive the powers-that-be that he is popular and commands followership. That is the height of self-deceit and delusion.

    Since the fallouts of the primaries in the state, neither Eze nor his supporters has called for a genuine and reconciliatory meeting to resolve the grey areas less than three months to election. Instead, they are going about telling people that ‘Federal Might’ will be deployed to capture Enugu in 2019 for them. If that is true, which federal might are they talking about, when it is obvious now that majority of the people in the state will vote against them in the election?

    If they are banking on rigging as being rumoured by few of their foot soldiers, they will be disappointed because Enugu people have always chosen their leaders in free and fair election. It is not unlikely that the rigging and federal might propaganda being spread by few remnants of APC in the state ahead of the election is their strategy to hoodwink voters and discourage them from coming out en masse to vote for the candidates of their choice. That won’t work for them because it is already in the open and Enugu people are wiser. Besides, candidates can only win elections where they are popular and Enugu voters know their leaders inside out.

    May be Eze and his cohorts have forgotten that the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is an ardent promoter and supporter of free and fair elections. Ahead of 2019 elections, the president has repeatedly assured Nigerians and international community that next year elections will be free and fair. We have witnessed free and fair elections in Anambra, Edo, Kogi, Bayelsa, Ondo and other states since Buhari came into office in 2015.

    So, instead of hoping to rely on utopian federal might, Eze should present his score card, having been in public office for over a decade with nothing to show as major achievements.

    With the multiple crises in Enugu APC today coupled with Eze’s non-performance in public office, Eze will not be able to share votes, talk less of defeating Governor Ugwuanyi in Enugu North zone, where both hail from. With Ugwuanyi’s achievements in office, which is enduring and verifiable, Eze has a herculean task of defeating Ugwuanyi in the election.

    Also with the power rotation arrangement among the senatorial zones in the state, the people of Enugu East zone, who are due to produce Ugwuanyi’s successor after his second term in 2023 will not risk voting Eze to avoid altering the rotation formula in the state. These are factors in the politics of the state which the APC national leadership was oblivious of, before handing over the party’s governorship ticket to Eze. The elections are near and the battle will be fought and won in the field, not in Abuja. Enugu voters will not subscribe to electoral violence to disrupt the peace of the state. Candidates’ popularity and acceptability must be tested and confirmed through the ballot box, not through electoral manipulations.

     

    • Agboeze, chieftain of APC wrote from Abakpa, Enugu. 

  • Enugu APC caucus endorses indirect primaries

    Caucus members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirants in the 2019 election in Enugu State have endorsed the indirect or consensus mode of primaries earlier adopted by the State Working Committee (SWC).

    The body, which is one of the highest decision making organs of the party, took the decision yesterday at the Nike Lake Hotel, during its meeting with aspirants, leaders and other stakeholders.

    The meeting was attended by prominent party chieftains, including former governor Sullivan Chime; ex-military governor of Gombe State and House of Reps aspirant Group Capt. Joe Oji (rtd); Senator Ayogu Eze; Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) Osita Okechukwu, among others.

    The SWC led by Dr. Ben Nwoye, few weeks ago, adopted the indirect mode after its meeting at the party secretariat, a decision that was countered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, during a selected stakeholders meeting he convened in Enugu, advocating for direct primaries.

    Onyeama’s position generated mixed reactions as majority of the stakeholders aligned themselves with the SWC’s position. State Chairman Nwoye insisted that the Minister does not have the constitutional power to convene such meeting, or take a decision on any critical issue affecting the party.

    Nwoye, while briefing the caucus and aspirants on the guideline and preparations for the primaries, as well as reasons why the SWC settled for indirect or consensus, described those against the mode as enemies of the party who don’t have its interest at heart.

    According to him, the direct primaries was capital intensive and cumbersome, insisting that the state does not have the financial capacity to go for the mode which, according to him, would gulp about N400 million.

    Nwoye said: “Indirect primaries will be cheaper and easier, when compared to the direct which will require so much logistics.”

  • Excitement as Enugu APC receives Ayogu Eze

    Senator Ayogu Eze, who represented Enugu North Senatorial district between 2007 and 2015, will be formally welcomed to the All Progressives Congress (APC) tomorrow.

    National Chairman of APC Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is expected to lead members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to the event tagged “Welcoming the Big Fish into the APC” while Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo will represent President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Others expected include Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, Orji Kalu, Dr Chris Ngige, APC National Assembly members from the Southeast, and others.

    Eze’s defection has left the PDP in disarray. His rumoured governorship ambition has thrown the PDP into confusion, knowing that he is capable of causing an upset for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    It was learnt that the APC hierarchy in the state believes it will be dangerous to cede the ticket another senatorial district because before the coming of Ugwuanyi, the North was marginalised in terms of the governorship.

    One of the greatest achievements of former Governor Sullivan Chime was to cede the governorship to Nsukka axis. Enugu East and Enugu West have had their fair share of governance in the state before now.

    However, it was learnt that APC intends to cede the ticket to the North so that the district can enjoy its two terms in office. Eze is thus seen as the man capable of dividing the area with his popularity, with a view to sending Ugwuanyi out of the Government House.

    It was gathered that the leadership of the PDP had attempted to lure him back with a senatorial ticket, but the offer was rebuffed. Some Nsukka elders and traditional rulers could also not convince him to return.

    Senator Eze however said “no amount of pressure will make me return to the PDP. I believe in the leadership style of President Muhammadu Buhari and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole”.

    He added: “The leadership style of these people attracted me to the APC. I don’t believe Enugu should remain in opposition because we must continue to make our state better, and we cannot achieve that by remaining in the opposition.

    “If you look at APC and PDP today, you will find that the APC is a masses-based party free from god-fatherism, and that is why Nigerians are reaping the benefit of good governance. It is unlike the PDP where a cabal is controlling the party and the people.

    “I am glad I am now in the APC, it is a new dawn for the people of Enugu; we must deliver the Southeast to APC so that we can enjoy the development strides of the President Buhari-led administration. I will contribute my quota in assisting other APC leaders in the Southeast to deliver Enugu and the entire Southeast to APC.

    “That is why tomorrow’s rally is very significant to our political life. We will send a message that the PDP is no longer wanted by the Igbo because of its failed promises to the Southeast. I am very optimistic that the rally will be the end of PDP in Enugu State.”