APC Crisis: 20 Members Suspended by Enugu State Chapter
Wisdom Tide
25/08/2024
The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Barrister Ugochukwu Agballah, announced the suspension of 20 members on Saturday. This decision follows shortly after another faction within the party declared the suspension of Agballah and other party officials.
During a stakeholders' meeting held at the APC secretariat, the Agballah-led group announced the suspension of all individuals involved in the earlier action. The meeting was attended by prominent party members, including the Deputy National Chairman of the Party (South), Chief Emma Eneukwu; the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji; former Senator Chukwuka Utazi; and Barrister Agballah, among others.
Speaking on behalf of the National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, Chief Eneukwu affirmed that Agballah remains the recognized chairman of the APC in Enugu State. He clarified that the national secretariat was not informed of Agballah's removal and emphasized that the purported action did not follow the due process required by the party's constitution.
In a communique read by Senator Utazi, the party announced the suspension of the following members: Uche Egbonwonu, Chibuike Onoduagu, Ubah Onah, Clifford Ezema, Ages Agu, Paul Olinya, Welfare Secretary Innocent Uroko, Obetta Ifeoma, Zonal Youth Leader Harrison Obochi, Publicity Secretary Michael Ezeanyanwu, Zonal Chairman (West) Alphonsus Nwafor, State Assistant Organizing Secretary David Nwobodo, State Assistant Auditor Sunday Onah, State Youth Leader Peter Chime, Enugu South LGA Chairman Ndubuisi Agbo, Enugu West Zonal Youth Leader Onyeka Ezegbunam, Awgu LGA Secretary Samuel Okonkwo, Innocent Ogbodo, Nnamani Denis Sunday, and Eze Ugwu Christian.
The communique condemned the recent actions of these suspended members, accusing them of gross indiscipline and a blatant disregard for the APC Constitution. It was noted that these members held a meeting in a hotel and allegedly announced the suspension of key party officials, including the Enugu State Chairman, Hon. Ugochukwu Agballah; the State Deputy Chairman, Chief Augustine Alumonah; the State Treasurer, Hon. Jude Aniogbo; and the State Organizing Secretary, Hon. Emeka Eze.
The stakeholders further alleged that only 14 members were present at this unauthorized meeting and that they forged signatures and appended names of individuals who were not part of the meeting, without their consent. Over 35 people whose signatures were allegedly forged have since issued disclaimers, distancing themselves from the illegal suspension.
The communique emphasized that the suspension did not adhere to the party's procedural requirements, as no formal meeting was held, no petition was submitted, and the matter was neither discussed at the State Executive Committee (SEC) level nor reported to the national leadership. The lack of a fact-finding process, as mandated by the party's constitution, further invalidated the suspension.
The stakeholders endorsed the recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee, which had invited the suspended members to present their cases, but they failed to appear. The Disciplinary Committee's decision to suspend these members was upheld, as it was determined that they had been given a fair hearing.
Additionally, the party announced the formation of an eight-member committee tasked with reviewing the cases of previously suspended members who have expressed interest in rejoining the party.
The Enugu APC stakeholders expressed gratitude to Ndigbo for abstaining from recent protests against President Ahmed Bola Tinubu's administration. They reiterated their confidence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President and affirmed the Enugu State APC's readiness to fully participate in the upcoming local government council elections.
It is worth noting that a High Court sitting in Enugu had recently issued a restraining order, preventing Agballah and certain others from presenting themselves as officials of the party.
Source: Daily Post
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