A few weeks after the Anambra Governorship election, the All Progressives Congress, APC, hit a rock as the embattled State Chairman, Basil Ejidike accused the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige of sponsoring crisis in the party.
Meanwhile, the State’s Secretary of the party, Chukwuma Agufugo insisted that the Chairman has been suspended.
This was disclosed when Mr. Ejidike addressed newsmen at the Party’s Headquarters, Awka.
Mr. Ejidike alleged that Sen. Chris Ngige had been the brain behind the crisis in APC, in Anambra state.
“We are setting up a disciplinary committee, to try any member who has been involved in the suspension process.
They will be sworn in next tomorrow to unravel the brains behind all the crisis in APC in the state.
We will also set up Congress Awareness Committee for the upcoming congresses in Anambra. This will help in mobilization and awareness.
We assure you to be committed and resolute to the ideas of the party and to remain loyal to the national leadership of the party. We will continue to ensure APC Anambra state will progress.” Ejidike
On his part, the Secretary, Agufugo, said, in his release to newsmen that, “Events in our dear party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Anambra State Chapter in the last couple of days has not been particularly fascinating considering our poor outing at the just concluded Governorship election three weeks ago, the alleged suspension of the state publicity secretary Arc Okelo Madukife by the state chairman and now the suspension of the state chairman Chief Basil Ejidike all certifies the above assertion.
“Political parties are set up to mobilise membership, campaign, run and win elections and not for internal bickering among members.
Perennial failure and continuous internal rangling in our party call for soul searching.
“It is bad enough that APC was not declared winner of the 2021 governorship election, a situation occasioned by several reasons according to our preliminary assessment.
“The array of suspension in APC Anambra State chapter shows that all is not well, hence the need for unity and refocus.
“The State Working Committee has received an official letter of suspension of the State Caretaker Committee chairman and has deliberated on that and other matters.
“As a result, it requested the Caretaker Chairman Chief Basil Ejidike to step aside. Consequently, a five-man investigation committee will immediately be constituted to look into the matter and turn in a report.
“We also resolved that in the spirit of pursuing the right course, it is important to reach out to Sen. Dr. Chris Ngige (Onwa), the leader of the party for consultation with other leaders including Sen. Dr. Andy Uba, Chief Dr. George Moghalu, Bar. Sharon Ikeazo, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Hon. Azuka Okwosa, Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo, Engr Bart Nwibe, Engr Nelson Onubuogu, all former Governorship aspirants and other leaders too numerous to mention.
“We hope to very quickly request and summon a caucus meeting where we shall present the report of the investigation committee and also for leaders to meet one on one to brainstorm on the way forward. Thereafter a stakeholders meeting will be held.
“We hope that you consider this misunderstanding an internal family issue that does not need to be blown out of proportion because it can only get worst before it gets better and this is the first point of recovery,” Agufugo stated.