The battle of who will finally be in charge as Chairman of Abia State All Progressive Congress (APC) is still on with two separate congresses that held yesterday and two separate Chairmen emerging.
Recall that ALL FACTS NEWSPAPER monitored both congresses and had earlier reported that Chief Enyinnaya Harbour emerged as Chairman of Abia State APC in the faction led by High Chief Ikechi Emenike with other leaders like Hon. Barr. Nkiru Onyejeocha, Hon. Barr. Emeka Okoroafor, Barr. F.N Nwosu and other prominent individuals.
In the other faction led by Honorable Donatus Nwankpa which held their congress at Umuahia Township Stadium, Honorable Acho Obioma emerged as chairman after a disagreement that led to the pullout of APC members from Ukwa siting marginalization by that faction.
The disagreement was based on the fact that some leaders of that faction decided to zone the Chairmanship position to Abia Central. Meanwhile, the current acting chairman, Honorable Donatus Nwankpa hails from Osisioma Ngwa LGA in Abia Central and had served the party for over 6 years. The believe of some members is that the position of Chairman in that faction should automatically leave Abia Central. So, when the leaders decided to zone it back to Abia central, the other chairmanship contestants from Ukwa in Abia South like Pastor Dike Nwankwo decided to pull out.
The Nwankpa’s APC state congress which held its election deep into the night had prominent members like Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah (Honorable Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development), Former Minister of Labour- Emeka Wogu, former Abia State House of Assembly Speaker – Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike, former House of Assembly members – Chief Blessing Nwagba, Chief Amobi Ogah, Chief Chris Ajah and numerous others present during the congress.
The Ikechi Emenike’s faction congress had the presence of the delegation sent from APC headquarters in Abuja to monitor the congress and equally INEC was on ground to monitor the process.
Based on the information we gathered from some APC leaders in Abia State who want to remain anonymous, they revealed that the battle will shift to the court to decide which of the faction is should be recognized.
“The battle will now shift to the court where the fate of the different factions will be decided. As you see, Ikechi Emenike seems to have the power base in APC Abuja, he is obviously strong with some people behind him, the other faction has most of the Abia APC leadership in the state, but lack the power base in Abuja”
“As an APC member in the Nwankpa faction, I must tell you that at the moment Ikechi Emenike has the upper hand, everything is going well for him. I only urge for quick reconciliation or the party will not fail completely in 2023” he concluded.
Another party member doubted the sincerity of some leaders in their faction which is the Nwankpa’s faction. He stated that he believes some of their leaders holding elective positions have compromised.
When asked why he thinks so, he said;
“Don’t you see that most of them are not talking, they have not said one word as regards what is happening. Even the followers are confused because they don’t understand the body language of some leaders.” He stated.
