The stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State have described the purported suspension of state chairman Ugochukwu Agballah as a nullity and without consequence, asserting that it was orchestrated by a “collective of expelled party members who are now collaborating with external forces to destabilize the party in the state.”
Reports emerged last week claiming that Barr. Agballah, Chief Augustine Alumonah (Deputy State Chairman), Emeka Eze (State Organizing Secretary), and Mr. Jude Aniogbo (State Treasurer) had been suspended from the party due to alleged anti-party activities and embezzlement.
This suspension was reported in a press release signed by Mr. Michael Ezeanyanwu and Mr. Alphonsus Nwafor, who claimed to be the State Publicity Secretary and Vice Chairman of the Enugu West Senatorial Zone, respectively.
However, following an expanded state executive, local government, ward, and stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday, 30th July 2024, attendees dismissed the report as “false, mischievous, and lacking a legal basis—mere nonsensical propaganda intended to discredit the party and its officials.”
The party leaders present, including Evang Dr. Walter Jason Madu (State Assistant Secretary), Barr. George Tagbo Ogara (Deputy Guber Candidate), Sen. Chukwuka Utazi, Princess Ada Ogbu, Prof. Nick Eze, H.E. Amb. Akuabata Njeze, Comrade Fidelis Ede (Pro Chancellor, Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State), and Dr. Tony Nebo (Pro Chancellor, Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State), stated that those announcing the suspension lack understanding of the APC Constitution.
Reading the resolution from the stakeholders’ meeting, Deputy State Chairman Chief Augustine Alumonah emphasized that the purported suspension was conducted in violation of the party’s constitution and asserted that Agballah remains their chairman.
The resolution states, “It is amusing that such a publication (the purported suspension) should be fabricated by expelled members and others facing disciplinary actions for anti-party activities.
“The content of the said publication was created with utter disregard for the Constitution of the party and for the truth.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah is and remains the Enugu State Chairman of APC, alongside Deputy State Chairman Chief Augustine Alumonah, State Organizing Secretary Emeka Eze, and State Treasurer Jude Aniogbo; there was no legitimate meeting of the State Executive of the party convened and held according to the Constitution.
“The Constitution stipulates that only a higher body of the party (National Executive Council/Zone) can remove a member of the State Executive and sets the necessary conditions precedent. These individuals are agents of a failed governor attempting to destabilize APC in Enugu State.”
The Deputy State Chairman stated that the emergency expanded stakeholders’ meeting was convened in consultation with party leaders and elders, including Chief Uche Nnaji, leader of APC Enugu State and Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology; Chief Emma Eneukwu, National Deputy Chairman (South) APC; and Hon. Ugochukwu H. Agballah, State Chairman APC Enugu State, alongside all other leaders across the 17 LGAs.
The party leaders noted that Mr. Alphonsus Nwafor, the expelled Vice Chairman of the Enugu West Senatorial District, was removed last year for working with another party during the 2023 elections, while the Publicity Secretary was dismissed for dereliction of duty and anti-party activities.
The statement further highlighted that Mr. Peter Chime, who was posing as State Youth Leader, was also dismissed last year for embezzling funds intended for a youth rally in the state.
The resolution expressed sympathy for the expelled members who allegedly engaged in such a “macabre dance” due to their illiteracy, ignorance, and complete lack of knowledge of the party’s Constitution for mere personal gain.
The party leaders asserted that they would take additional steps to safeguard the party’s corporate image and pursue further disciplinary and legal actions against the expelled members and their collaborators.
“The party urges its dedicated members and the general public to disregard the sponsored suspension and be assured that the rescue mission and rebuilding of APC in Enugu State, under the leadership of The Hon. Ugochukwu H. Agballah and State Party Leader Chief Uche Nnaji, is unstoppable until we reclaim the reins of government in Enugu State,” the party leaders declared.
