The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) led by the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Wednesday met with stakeholders of the party in Imo State with a view to resolving disputations in the state chapter.
The stakeholders comprising the Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere, Senator representing Imo North, Ben Uwajumogu, the National Organizing Secretary of the party, Sen. Osita Izunaso, Sen. Ifeanyi Ararume, some state executives and other stakeholders, who met with the leadership at the party’s National Secretariat submitted a memo to the NWC detailing the crisis bedevilling the Imo State chapter.
Speaking on behalf of the Imo APC stakeholders, Chief Okey Ikoro called on the party’s national leadership to urgently address the crisis to avoid jeopardising the party’s electoral chances in the state and indeed the South East region ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The brazen attempt by the state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, to impose his son-in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu, on the party as the gubernatorial candidate is threatening to tear the party apart.
Chief Odigie-Oyegun said the party leadership would look into the petition with a view to resolving the issues.
“I thank you for coming jointly. I promise on behalf of the NWC that we will do, one, all we can to maintain level playing ground. Two, pursue avenues for a reconciliation of the various groups and tendencies in Imo State. And I want to also urge on your part that you should be ready for peace, you should be ready for compromise. At the end of the day, it is the vote that counts whether inside the party, or when finally a general election comes.
“You are the stakeholders, you are the bulk, the strength, the muscle of the party in Imo state. Well, it is time to prove it in the next few days and in the next few weeks.
“Imo must lead the charge in the entire South East. So, it is a painful thing to see that we are divided but I am happy that in your speech you have opened doors of unity. I want to assure you that we on our side will do everything possible to take up your complaints, your reservations so that an acceptable compromise can be reached that will make it possible for us to fight as one party. I am not unaware of the issues. I am certainly not unaware. I am a Nigerian. As party national chairman, all of these issues come to my table. There has to be unity but there cannot be unity without justice. So there must be justice”, the APC National Chairman said.
NWC members present at the meeting were the National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni; Deputy National Chairman (North), Sen. Lawali Shuaibu; National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi; National Auditor, Chief George Moughalu; National Treasurer, Alh. Bala Gwagwarwa; National Vice Chairman (North East) and National Vice Chairman (South East), Hon. Emma Eneukwu