…Dangles PGF vice chairmanship on Uzodimma, as Nnamani sues for peace in Enugu
By Ezeocha Nzeh (Group Politics Editor) and Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has tasked its chieftains from the South-East to ensure that the party improves significantly from its current ratings in the zone in the 2023 general elections
The APC, which has not made a serious inroad in the South east only controls one state (Imo) which it secured through a supreme court judgement that annulled the election of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
The AUTHORITY gathered that the APC national leadership had made its position clear to the South east leaders that they must contribute to the reposition the party in the zone, charging that the party would count on their joint efforts to record an impressive outing in the South East in 2023
This even as a credible source in the party stated that it was the party’s plot to move into the south East that necessitated its appointment of former Senate president, Ken Nnamani as the vice chairman of the caretaker/Extra Ordinary Convention Committee
The source further revealed that party has also charged its Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) to announce Imo state Governor, Hope Uzodimma, as its Vice Chairman, to replace Edo state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, who has defected to the opposition PDP, adfter he was denied the party’s ticket to seek a second term in the September 19 governorship election in Edo state
The vacant PGF vice chairmanship position is said to be zoned to the South, since the Chairman of the Forum, the Kebbi State governor, Senator Atiku Bagudu, is from the North.
Uzodimma’s consideration I was gathered is to further attract more states from the South East zone for APC.
The AUTHORITY gathered that it was the APC national leadership’s charge on the South east stakeholders that forced them into a zonal meeting in Owerri, Imo State capital, last Saturday
It was gathered that the Owerri meeting will be followed by several other meetings where the leaders would agree and strategize on how to actualize the ardours task come 2023
The key leaders of the APC from the region, who attended the meeting, included former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani Minister of Science and Technology Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyema, Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development, Uche Ogah, Minister of State, Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, and Sir Frank Ibezim all in attendance.
The APC leader who spoke after the closed door meeting debunked claims that South east is being marginalized by the APC led federal government, describing the claim remained a mere speculation and the figment of the imagination of those who are not well informed.
Senator Nnamani, who is currently representing the South-East in the National Caretaker Committee of the APC, told newsmen that he led the delegation to pay a solidarity visit to the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma.
According to him, the delegation did not only come to wish Uzodinma, who is the only APC governor in the South-East well, but to also let him know they were impressed with what they have seen on the ground.
The host, Governor Uzodinma maintained that the APC government in Imo State was the gateway to integrating Ndigbo into the national political and socio-economic grid as well as the policy framework of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
On the chances of APC supporting an Igbo President in 2023, he Imo state Governor charged he zone o concentrate on producing a “Nigerian President of Igbo extraction” and not Igbo President as it is currently being agitated.
“The South-East is part of Nigeria, South-East leaders exhibit all qualities and capabilities for good governance and as such believe that the APC as the ruling party in Nigeria will make the right decision at the appropriate time,” he said.
Ngige, who joined hius colleagues to debunk claims of Igbo marginalization by the President Buhari led APC administration said South-East ministers at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) had been given the region effective representation, ‘getting what is the due share for the South-East.’
Meanwhile, former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, has stated that peace and unity must return to the Enugu state chapter of the party, as panacea to make headway in the state in future elections
Nnamani, who is the vice chairman OF THE apc Caretaker /Extra Ordinary Convention committee of the party, made the call when the PMB Solidarity Movement, Enugu state chapter paid him an unscheduled visit at the weekend, in his country home, Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu state.
He cautioned that no serious progress will be made in the party if the party in the state continued to remain in factions. He therefore tasked the factional leaders to close ranks forthwith and work collectively for a united APC in Enugu state.
The Enugu state coordinator, PMB Solidarity Movement, Comrade Adolphus Ude, who led the team assured Chief Nnamani that peace have returned in the state wing of the party, adding that they look forward to presenting one compiled delegate list from the state in the coming emergency national convention.
“Part of the strategy is that we have resolved to cue behind Chief Ben Nwoye, as the authentic chairman of the party in the state .With every assurance that he will reciprocate accordingly.
“Be rest assured that we are already working collectively on how APC will take over governance of Enugu state, come 2023 general election. A prove in this direction is that Enugu APC will attend the forth coming emergency convention of the party with one list,” Ude assured
