From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The unresolved leadership crisis bedevelling the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Enugu state manifested again over the weekend, as two parallel results from the nation wide local government congresses of the party conducted in the state have emerged.
The Dr Ben Nwoye led state care taker committee whose acclaimed suspension from the party is still generating controversy in the state wing of the party are claiming to have succesfully elected new executives of the party in the 17 local government areas of the state, where the Minister of foreign affairs Chief Geoffrey Onyeama,a former Senate president Chief Ken Nnamani, who is currently a member of the National Caretaker working committee,backed by several other stakeholders of the party in the state appraised their own factional election, as the authentic one,stating thst Dr Ben Nwoye is under suspension.
Geoffrey Ońyeama, who monitored the conduct of congress in his own local government of Udi held at Comprehensive high School Udi/Abia described the exercise as democracy in action, for the party members turned out in large number and voted for candidates of their choice.
He stressed that the large turn out is a manifestation of the commitment of APC members in Udi localgovernment area to always set the pace, in the party’d ultimate goal to take over governance in Enugu state,in 2023.
Through option A4 open ballot system,,Hon Nwabuisi Hillary pulled a totat of 390 valid votes cast as against 24 votes scored by Uzochukwu Ben, to emerge as the next Udi local government APC chairman.
However. the result being paraded by the Nwoye faction of APC in Enugu state have Chief Ebubeagu Felix Okafor, as the elected Udi local government area APC chairman.
In Enugu South local government area, the local government area of Chief Ken Nnamani. The former senate president who observed the election appraised thatat the proceses through which Hon Michael Ogbonna was profuced as the new APC party chairman in the ward was in tandem with laid down rules and guidelines of the APC party. He also commended the party faithfuls for the large turn out recorded in the election.
Hon Mike Ogbonna pulled a total of 169 votes to defeat his co contestant, Hon Uchenna Okwadike,who had only ten votes.
But the Dr Nwoye faction is parading one Hon Friday Nnamma, as the Enugu South local government elected nect chairman of APC.
In Oji River local hovernment area, one of the stakeholders Hon Val Nnaedoze, told The AUTHORITY that the local government congress was peacefully conducted and led to the emergence of Mr Davidson Onyebuchi, as the new chairman of the party in the local government.
Hon Nnaedozie further disclosed that the three national delegates for the APC national convention in the person of Chief Gbazueagu Nweke Gbazueagu(GNG),Hon Vinmartin Iloh, an ace broadcaster and himself emerged as the national delegates to the national convention.
But the APC faction loyal to Chief Ben Nwoye,projects one Engr. Edwin Ani,as the successful elected new chairman of the party in Oji River local government area.
In Awgu local government area, the Enugu state Federal Character Commissioner, Ambassador Mrs Ginika Tor,told the AUTHORITY that the congress which produced Hon Alphonsus Nwofor, as new chairman of APC in Awgu local government was peaceful and well attended.
He commended the acting state caretaker committee chairman,Prince Chukwunta Chikwado and Chief Ben Eche,a former governorship aspirant of the party,both of whom are from Awgu local government for their contribution to the success of the election.
Ambassador Ginika further expressed gratitude to Chief Ken Nnamani whom she described as APC leader in the South East zone, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, the goreign affairs minister and leader of the party in Enugu state, and Mr Sullivan Chime, the immediate past civilian governor of Enugu state, for their untiring efforts in re poditioning APC in Enugu state for better results.
But in what looks like a local rivalry, the pioneer deputy chairman of APC in Enugu state,Comrade A.C.Ude, a major stakeholder of the party in Awgu lical government area,who is presently in the forefront of the race for next APC state chairman in Enugu state, said Hon Henry Ikenna is the new chairman of APC in Awgu local government area, asserting that he was ptoduced by a valid faction of the party with grass root founďation members and leaders.
