APC: Govs Mbah, Uzodinma, Nwifuru agree, re-elect Arodiogbu Nat. Vice Chair

The three All Progressives Congress, APC, Governors in the South East zone, on Wednesday, reached an amicable accord on the zonal executive committee members of the party, re-electing Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu as the National Vice Chairman (South East) of the party.

Arising from the zonal Congress of the party in Enugu, on Wednesday, the three Governors, the delegates and other APC stalwarts in the south east, through consensus elected other members of the zonal executive committee.

The zonal Congress took place after hours of waiting for the Governors who all arrived together before the Congress commenced at about 2:30pm in Enugu Hotel Presidential.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State spoke first, saying that Nigeria was moving forward and the economy progressing under President Bola Tinubu.

He stated that the leadership of the party agreed to conduct the congress through consensus in line with Article 20.1 of the party constitution.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi state subsequently moved a motion for the dissolution of the existing zonal executive, which was seconded by Senator Patrick Ndubueze of Imo State.

Following the dissolution, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, moved a motion presenting the list of consensus candidates for adoption.

“The vice chairman consensus candidate for our party in the Southeast zone is Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu,” Kalu announced. “I hereby move that these names be adopted as the consensus candidates for this zonal congress.”

He also moved two additional motions adopting the use of consensus as the mode of the congress in accordance with Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act, and ratifying the outcomes of ward, local government, and state congresses across the region.

Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Eugene Uchenna Ugwu, seconded the motions, which were overwhelmingly endorsed by delegates.

Other members of the newly adopted zonal executive include Chief Innocent Itakpa Azuoba as secretary; Barrister Rex Mayor Ogbonna as legal adviser; Hon. Henry Onwughalaonye as publicity secretary; Barrister Chima Kenneth Ogbonnaya as youth leader; Dr. Nwachukwu as leader for persons with disabilities; Dr. Oby Aji as woman leader; and Chief Arinze Ikedife as organising secretary.

In his remarks, Governor Peter Mbah described the congress as a demonstration of unity and strength within the APC in the Southeast.

“APC in the Southeast is solid. Our presence here today is a testament to the fact that APC is Southeast and Southeast is APC,” Mbah said.

“We have shamed the naysayers and critics who predicted implosion. After this congress, we will emerge stronger and more united as a party,” he added.

Mbah also commended President Tinubu for his “audacious and expedient reforms,” noting that they have placed Nigeria on the path of economic growth.

The congress drew a large turnout of party stalwarts, including former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Deputy National Chairman (South) Chief Emma Eneukwu, Senators Osita Izunaso, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Uche Ekwunife, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Kelvin Chukwu, and Osita Ngwu, among others.

Also in attendance were Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiru Onyejeocha; former Minister Chris Ngige; and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh, alongside members of the House of Representatives and other key stakeholders.