The South-East’s All Progressives Congress (APC) convened its zonal congress in Enugu on Wednesday.
Three APC governors from the zone reportedly attended the congress: Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, and Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.
The governors showed up later in the day, indicating that they had achieved an agreement, after the congress had been delayed for hours.
A new zonal executive headed by Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu was created as a result of the congress’s consensus arrangement.
The exercise’s tone was established by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who also serves as the chair of the Southeast Governors’ Forum. She emphasized party unity and advancement.
Uzodimma said, “We are here for our country. I bring you greetings from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leader of our great party, and to assure you that Nigeria is moving forward and our economy is progressing.”
He also mentioned that the party’s leadership had decided to hold the congress by agreement.
“We have decided to move our zonal congress by consensus in accordance with Article 20.1 of our constitution. This will guarantee unity and enable our members to get home on time,” he stated.
Following that, Senator Patrick Ndubueze backed a resolution made by Governor Francis Nwifuru to dissolve the current zonal executive.
Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, proposed a motion to offer the list of consensus candidates for adoption after the dissolution.
Kalu declared, “Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu is our party’s consensus candidate for vice chairman in the Southeast zone.”
He continued, “I therefore propose that these names be accepted as the consensus candidates for this zonal congress.”
In accordance with Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act, he also made two further motions that ratified the results of state, local, and ward congresses throughout the area and adopted consensus as the congress’s mode.
The resolutions were seconded by Eugene Uchenna Ugwu, Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, and the delegates unanimously approved them.
Chief Innocent Itakpa Azuoba, the secretary; Barrister Rex Mayor Ogbonna, the legal adviser; Hon. Henry Onwughalaonye, the publicity secretary; Barrister Chima Kenneth Ogbonnaya, the youth leader; Dr. Nwachukwu, the leader for people with disabilities; Dr. Oby Aji, the woman leader; and Chief Arinze Ikedife, the organizing secretary, are additional members of the recently established zonal executive.
Governor Peter Mbah called the congress a show of strength and solidarity within the APC in the Southeast.
“APC is strong in the Southeast.” The fact that APC is Southeast and Southeast is APC is demonstrated by our presence here today,” Mbah stated.
“Those who anticipated implosion have been shamed by us. We shall become a stronger and more cohesive party after this conference,” he continued.
Additionally, Mbah praised President Tinubu for his “audacious and expedient reforms,” pointing out that they had set Nigeria up for economic expansion.
Former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Deputy National Chairman (South) Chief Emma Eneukwu, Senators Osita Izunaso, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Uche Ekwunife, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Kelvin Chukwu, and Osita Ngwu were among the prominent party members that attended the congress.
Along with members of the House of Representatives and other important stakeholders, additional attendees included Minister of State for Labor Nkeiru Onyejeocha, former Minister Chris Ngige, and Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology Kingsley Udeh.
In preparation for the APC’s upcoming national convention, the congress’s effective conduct is viewed as a significant step in fortifying the party’s organization in the Southeast.
