By Ezeocha Nzeh
Even as the APC national leadership has maintained that it was yet to arrive at zoning formula ahead of the patty’s February 26, national convention, stakeholders from the South East and South South geo political zones may have squared up against each other for the National Secretary position
The APC caretaker committee has maintained that it is still awaiting decisions from President Muhammadu Buhari on zoning of positions for the convention
While awaiting the zoning of the National Working Committee (NWC) officees, APC stakeholders from the South South have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and leadership of the party to consider the South South for the APC National Secretary position.
This is even as South East stakeholders of the party have already commenced campaign for the position
Two aspirants from Anambra State, Amb. Jerry Ugokwe and Hon. Chidi Duru have already commenced their campaign for the position of the National Secretary, with their posters visibly placed at many locations of the FCT, including the party’s national secretariat
It was also gathered that the former National Organizing Secretary of the party, Senator Osita Izunaso, has indicated interest in the position of the APC National Secretary.
However, some stakeholders had argued that former National Working Committee members should not be re elected into the incoming National Working Committee of the party, stressing that all former members of the NWC should be let go, just like what happened in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
While making his case for the South South, Hon. Abel Akpan, from Cross River State said the party should consider the South South for the APC National Secretary.
He argued that the South East geopolitical zone has held the position of National Secretary of a ruling party, right from the days of Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo as PDP National Secretary.
“After Nwodo came Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, late Chief Ojo Maduekwe and some other,” stated
Akpan, who also noted that the present National Secretary of PDP, Senator Samuel Anyanwu is from the South East geopolitical zone.
The Cross River APC Chieftain who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders argued further that the position of the APC National Secretary in South South would consolidate the party in the zone.
He said, “We, South South stakeholders from APC are demanding that the position of the National Secretary should be zoned to us.
“Our brothers from the South East zone had held the position of National Secretary of a ruling party in the past, and are still holding same.
“The South South should be allowed to hold such position for a ruling party, as this would give the zone a strong commitment to the party.
“Yes, we know that we held that position of the National Chairman but we were not allowed to complete out tenure in that office.
“We appeal to the President, Muhmmadu Buhari and other party leaders to consider it progressive to zone the National Secretary to the South South.”
