Barely few hours to the commencement of the ward congresses of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the leaders of the party in Enugu State that have been at loggerheads with each other, to the chagrin of onlookers is going to the Congress as one fold.
The atmosphere became more tensed on Thursday night when news of the hijack of the ward congresses materials by “Abuja Politicians” filtered into the state.
But in their stakeholders meeting with the congress committee on Friday afternoon, all nerves were calmed and the confidence of the party leaders and members restored as all the suspected “Abuja Politicians” and stakeholders stormed the party Secretariat at GRA Enugu to speak about the Congress.
Dr. Ben Nwoye, the Caretaker Chairman of Enugu APC said that the process is expected to go on smoothly as majority of the wards and LGAs have reached consensus through consultation of all the party leaders and members in their area and in places where that couldn’t be achieved, the people are allowed to test their popularity in the field.
Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogu the chairman of Enugu State ward congress Committee dismissed the rumour of the hijack of the materials and assured the party faithfuls that all the materials for the Congress is with them (while displaying same during the meeting) and “we are ready to conduct a credible, transparent Congress.
Explaining what caused the delay which led to raising of alarm, Dr. Arodiogu said; “The delay was as a result of logistics because we were determined to return to Enugu with the materials,” while assuring all that they “can’t be intimidated by anyone,” and maintained that the “Congress will be conducted in line with the Constitution of APC.”
In his remarks, the former governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Sullivan Chime thanked the committee chairman for all the assurances saying: “We will go home, hoping for a credible process tomorrow (today),” while charging the party members that this is the time to move forward and eschew “as the process is about the party and not a single individual.”
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffery Onyeama applauded the committee chairman and his members for taking up the assignment for the party as it’s in line with democracy which is about service to the people and assured them they will do everything possible to make their stay worthwhile.
Speaking about the Congress, Onyeama said “Today is a new day and provides new opportunities for us to unite and make the party work.” and called for “the process to be peaceful because the outcome will benefit us and our children will be the winners.
Also speaking during the meeting, Senator Ken Nnamani who’s the representative of the South East at the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, expressed happiness that the party is growing very fast in the South East.
He however, frowned at the incessant infighting amongst members of the party he said, has never helped the growth of the party and enjoined them to stop media and legal banters.
Sen Nnamani noted that “what we are doing tomorrow (today) is fundamental to electoral process and I call on all our party members and leaders to go to their wards,” stressing that himself isn’t interested in who emerges the chairman in the other wards except his (ward II).
“This is the time for us to build the foundation that will enable us win all elections and it starts with electing credible people at the ward level.
Sen Nnamani also thanked the state party Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye for rallying the people together and called on the stakeholders to remain at their various wards during the Congress
