The All Progressives Congress (APC) founding members in Anambra State are protesting what they describe as the hijacking of the party’s structure by members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Emmanuel Anosike, the former Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, on March 3 emerged as the new Chairman of the party through a consensus arrangement alongside J.C. Okeke, as the Vice Chairman, while Obi Okpala assumed the role of Secretary.
The aggrieved members on Wednesday in Awka alleged that the recently concluded State Congress, which produced a new executive committee for the party, was dominated by individuals with PDP backgrounds, sidelining longstanding APC stakeholders.
They further lamented the conspicuous absence of key party figures at the Congress, including Chris Ngige, former governor and minister of Labour and Employment; Chief George Moghalu, former National Auditor of the APC; and Uzoma Igbonwa, the former National Youth Leader of the party, among others.
According to them, the absence of these prominent figures raises concerns about the transparency and inclusiveness of the process.
A founding members, Uchenna Adika from Onitsha North Local Government Area, alleged that certain aspirants were deliberately excluded from contesting.
He claimed that Ike Ekwensi and Kene Nzekwe were disqualified and denied access to nomination forms for the positions of Deputy Chairman and Chairman, respectively, despite being longstanding party members.
“What took place on Tuesday at the party secretariat was a hijacking of the APC structure by individuals aligned with the PDP, rather than a congress driven by genuine APC stalwarts,” he said.
“Some of us attempted to purchase nomination forms for the position of State Chairman but were refused. Others who successfully purchased forms for Deputy Chairman were subsequently disqualified.
“Yet, this process is being described as internal democracy.”
The group also questioned the legitimacy and timing of the political realignments that allegedly influenced the congress outcome.
“At what point did these individuals join the APC?” he asked.
According to him, the action suggests that recent defectors were being given preferential treatment over foundation members of the party.
However, Sen. Uche Ekwunife, who spoke during the congress, defended the process, insisting that the exercise was conducted in line with the provisions of the APC constitution.
According to her, the party’s decisions were guided by the need to strengthen its internal structure and reposition it for future electoral contests.
“Our outgoing Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike, is not leaving because he performed poorly or is incompetent. He has served for seven years, and it is necessary to rejig and refresh the party’s leadership,” she said.
She dismissed allegations of exclusion, emphasising that the party adopted consensus and strategic selection mechanisms permitted under its constitution.
“It is not about occupying executive positions for optics or personal aggrandisement. The party considered competence, capacity, and the ability to deliver. We are not interested in rubber-stamp executives but in leaders who can drive growth and progress,” Ekwunife maintained.
The controversy underscores ongoing tensions within the Anambra APC, particularly over issues of internal democracy, party cohesion, and the influence of defectors in reshaping established political structures ahead of future elections.
