The crack in the ranks of members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Abia State chapter may widen following the release of authentic Abia State delegates list by Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.
Kalu, the former Governor of Abia State, had on Monday, released a list some top members of the party who he said, were the authentic party delegates from Abia State, for the upcoming March 26 national congress of APC.
In a letter written by Kalu to the Chairman of Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Committee, he said the list became necessary ” to totally avoid the infiltration and importation of fictitious names and designation by some overzealous party men.”
The list sent by Kalu as seen by News Echo, were made up from those from the camp of Hon. Acho Obioma-led APC faction, leaving out those from the Kingsley Ononogbu faction, which has Chief Ikechi Emenike as its leader.
Only Hon Nkeiruka Onyejiocha, member representing Isukwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency is a member of the Emenike group of APC that made the Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s delegates’ list , and this development is causing disaffection in the Uzuakoli road section of Abia APC.
In the list submitted by Kalu are, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Prince Benjamin Apugo, Chris Akomas, Senator Chris Adighije, Ambassador Sam Nkire, Senator Bob Nwannunu, Senator Nkechi Nwogu, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejiocha, Ben Kalu, Acho Obioma, Chidia Maduekwe, Nze Esiaga, Sam Onuigbo, Hon Nnanna Kalu among others.
The likes of High Chief Ikechi Emenike, Barr Friday Nwosu, Kingsley Ononogbu etc did not make the list.
But reacting to the delegates’ list, the publicity secretary of the Kingsley Ononogbu faction , Mr Okey Ezeala dismissed the report, saying that only the party register could determine those that would make the delegates’ list.
He said that while the party respects Senator Kalu opinion and those who associate with him, it was wrong to bring in the names of some persons who are allegedly unknown to the party, as delegates for the March 26 national congress.
Meanwhile, the national secretariat of the APC which is still embroiled in crises over convention date, is yet to issue any official response ratifying Kalu’s list.
The two groups in Abia APC have since 2021, maintained that there is no faction in the State chapter of the party, declaring themselves as enjoying the endorsement of the national secretariat.
There have also been calls by concerned APC members in the State for the two groups to close ranks and work for the interest of the party, if it must win the State in 2023.
