By Chief Eneukwu Nicholas (Ezeudo I of Obinagu Udi)
When the All Progressives Congress (APC) was formed in 2013 through the merger of several political parties, key leaders were brought together to ensure that every interest was represented.
During that period, Emmanuel Eneukwu was appointed Interim National Welfare Secretary and began working with Bisi Akande. At the time, Chief Julius Nyerere of Abia State served as the National Interim Vice Chairman of the party in the South-East zone, while Chief George Muoghalu held the position of National Interim Auditor.
It should be recalled that the APC was then treated like a leprosy in the South-East, where anyone who mentioned the party was seen as committing political blasphemy. Leaders such as Osita Okechukwu, the late Okey Ezea, Ben Nwoye and Gen. Joe Okoloagu, among others, struggled to promote the APC message to the people of Enugu State.
At the time, the party was widely criticised and labelled a “Boko Haram party,” “a party without vision,” “a party of killers,” and “a party of evil men.”
As a result, it was extremely difficult to find candidates willing to contest elections under the party’s platform in Enugu State.
The then South-East leader of the party, Rochas Okorocha, made several efforts to move the party forward. While other parts of Enugu produced candidates through sacrifice, the Enugu West Senatorial District failed to present one.
Seeing the situation, Okorocha reportedly asked Eneukwu to contest the vacant Senate seat, but he declined, unwilling to take such a political risk for the party. The same request was made to Chief Nyerere in Abia State, who accepted and ran as the party’s governorship candidate.
When Nyerere vacated his office to pursue the governorship race, Eneukwu began lobbying for the position rather than focusing on the vacant Enugu West senatorial seat.
It took the strong effort and sacrifice of Chief Onyemucheya Nnamani to persuade his close associate, Chief Phil Ezeh, to run for the position so that the party could remain politically active in the district. This occurred after the party primaries.
Around the same time, there was also no candidate willing to run for the Senate in Enugu East Senatorial Zone, as those who had earlier shown interest withdrew.
Dr. Ben Nwoye was eventually asked by the party’s National Working Committee to take up the challenge and run for the election.
He reportedly invested his time, energy, and personal resources, and even risked his life to keep the party active. During that period, he travelled across major cities erecting APC billboards, many of which were destroyed the following day. Despite the setbacks, he continued until after the election.
As Nyerere focused on his governorship ambition, Eneukwu intensified efforts to lobby South-East leaders such as the late Ogbonnaya Onu and Chris Ngige for support to become the party’s Zonal Vice Chairman in the South-East.
When Adams Oshiomhole later became National Chairman of the APC, Eneukwu served under him until the National Working Committee was dissolved two years later.
In 2021, Eneukwu contested for and won the position of Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, a position he still occupies.
By this calculation, he has spent about thirteen years as a member of the APC National Working Committee. His tenure began during the administration of Sullivan Iheanacho Chime, continued during the leadership of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and has now extended into the current administration of Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
Over the years, he has also worked under several APC National Chairmen, including Bisi Akande, John Odigie-Oyegun, Adams Oshiomhole, Abdullahi Adamu, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori and currently Nentawe Yilwatda.
For many years, Eneukwu has remained within the national structure of the party, largely away from his home political base in Enugu. At the time, it was believed that politics at the national level required energy, patience, and constant travel.
However, after more than a decade in national leadership, it may be wise for him to return home and reconnect with his political base.
Many people in Enugu hardly know him politically, yet he has benefited from the party structure for many years. Returning home would provide an opportunity for him to contribute more directly to local politics, mentor younger politicians, and help strengthen the party structure in the state.
As an experienced elder within the party, his leadership could help build unity, encourage emerging leaders, and provide guidance to those willing to serve.
He could also help mediate internal disagreements and promote cooperation among party members, particularly in his local government area, Udi.
With his deep understanding of the party’s history and internal processes, Eneukwu could also help strengthen the APC’s grassroots presence, an area that has remained relatively weak in the state since the party’s inception.
Historically, many political leaders eventually return home after years of national service to mentor the next generation. For Eneukwu, this may be the appropriate moment to return home, having earned the record as the longest-serving member of the APC National Working Committee.
