Fresh crisis hits Enugu APC

Uneasy calm is building up in Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the expulsion of the erstwhile factional state chairman of the party, Deacon Okey Ogbodo and four other members loyal to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama.

The affected members were said to have declined to withdraw their law suits against the leadership of the party in the state as directed by the party’s national secretariat.

Speaking in Enugu yesterday during the swearing-in of members of the party’s State Executive Caretaker Committee, the Chairman of State Caretaker Committee, Dr. Ben Nwoye, told party faithful that the expulsion would serve as a deterrent to other members of the party.

Nwoye stated, “the state chapter of the APC acting on the directive of the National Legal Adviser of the party set up a disciplinary committee to commence and complete the process of investigating members found wanting. Deacon Okey Ogbodo and his cohorts which include; Barr. Chike Omeje, Rufus Nwagu, Rev. Onuorah, Ndubuisi Ani and Chinedu Okosisi in flagrant disregard to the resolution of the NEC failed to withdraw their cases at the appellate court.

“The committee led by Chief Anike Nwoga after their investigation, recommended the expulsion of these members that failed to respect the decision of the party and this has been communicated to the National Legal Adviser of the party”.
Nwoye warned the caretaker committee chairmen across the 17 council areas of the state who were also sworn in to ensure that those expelled from the party are not registered in their respective political wards when the party commences its membership registration in 2021.

He warned that any ward chairman that disobeys the party’s directive and goes ahead to register the expelled former members would also be shown the exit door.

“This indicates to you that this is a serious party. Those that engaged in a bloodless coup in an attempt to change the leadership of the party have failed”, he stated.

All the State Executive members as well as zonal and local government leaders, took oath office and allegiance after being sworn-in.

Efforts to get reaction from Deacon Ogbodo to the development were not fruitful as he declined to respond to his phone calls.