All is not well in the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, and the governorship candidate of the party in the November 6 election in the state, Senator Andy Uba, are engulfed in a leadership tussle.
In a statement made available to Newsprobe Saturday, the Director, Media and Publicity of the Senator Andy Uba Governorship Campaign Organisation, (SAUGCO) Hon. Afam Ogene, said Anambra State Caucus of the APC joined by some other stakeholders, last night rose from a meeting held in Maitama, Abuja and resolved, amongst others, to affirm Senator Emmanuel Andy Uba as the authentic Leader of the State Chapter of the APC.
Dr. Ngige faction had its own meeting elsewhere in Abuja.
“This decision is in tandem with the standing paradigm that the current Gubernatorial Candidate of the Party becomes the Leader of the Party in the State,” the statement noted.
The statement added, “The meeting, which was generously attended, comprised former Senators, current and former members of the House of Representatives, current and former Presiding and Principal Officers of the State House of Assembly, 14 out of 17 members of the State Working Committee(SWC) of the Party, a former Minister, current and former zonal and national officers of the Party, as well as the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the Party in the recently held Anambra gubernatorial election.
“Among those in attendance were Senator Andy Uba and his deputy, Barrister Emeka Okafor, Senators Ik Obiora and Emma Anosike, Honourables Linda Ikpeazu, Vincent Ofumelu, Chidi Duru, Chiedu Eluemunor, Jerry Ugokwe, Ralph Okeke, Fort Dike, Chuma Nzeribe, Afam Ogene, Chizor Obidigwe and Peter Madubueze.
“From the Anambra State House of Assembly were former Speakers, Ben Chuks Nwosu and Chinwe Nwaebeli; former and current Principal Officers, Ebele Obi and Lawrence Ezeudu, amongst five other serving members.
“Also in attendance were former Minister of Transportation, John Emeka, former National Auditor, Paul Chukwuma, zonal Youth Leader, Olisaemeka Onyeka, and the State Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike.
“Other members of the SWC, who are members of the State Caucus, present were the deputy state chairman, Anaedobe Johnbosco, State Treasurer, Chris Udenze, Women Leader, Callista Nwachukwu, State Youth Leader, Augustine Mumoaife, Special (Physically Challenged) Leader, Obi Ndigwe.
“Also in attendance was the zonal chairman, North, Ezenwa Ekwuaju and zonal chairman, South, Izuchukwu Okeke.
“In line with Section 12:9 (xviii) of the APC Constitution 2014 (As Amended), which requires the admittance of two other leaders per senatorial zone to join the State Caucus, the following, Barrister C.J Chinwuba and Melville Ebo, North; Dozie Ikedife and Chidi Ogbaji, South; and Dennis Ngene and Chibuzor Obiakor were also in attendance.
“The State Caucus received briefing from Ejidike on the State of the Party in Anambra, and accepted and adopted the Report given by the Chairman. These included the suspension handed down to the former state secretary, Chukwuma Agufugo and erstwhile publicity secretary, Okelo Madukaife.”
Anambra Guber: ‘Disclose who discussed results writing with you’, Andy Uba charges Sen. Emordi
Meanwhile, SAUGCO says its attention has been drawn to a video, wherein Senator Joy Emordi alleged that she was told that the APC would write the results of the recently held gubernatorial election in Anambra state.
“Ludicrous as the claim sounds, the ‘revealation’ may just as well open a leeway into unearthing the diverse roles which several impostors played in the run up to the elections,” a statement signed on behalf of SAUGCO by Hon. Victor Afam Ogene said.
Noted Hon. Ogene, a former member, House of Representatives and Director, Media and Publicity, SAUGCO: “For Senator Emordi, it would take quite sometime for Nollywood divas to come to terms with how she has been able to snatch the tag, ‘Drama Queen of the Year.’
“Indeed, ndi Anambra and Nigerians in general would recall that this year alone, our Distinguished Senator has starred in about three videos, supporting three different candidates across two political parties.
“In March, 2021 in the lead up to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP primaries, Senator Emordi was seen in a viral video endorsing the aspiration of Senator Uche Ekwunife, with a promise to stick with her.
“Barely one month afterwards the same woman made another video, proclaiming a fidelity to Val Ozigbo’s candidature in the same party, PDP.
“Two months later, in June, 2021 she was back to the beat, singing the praise of Senator Andy Uba of the APC on national television.
“Although she claimed to have formally joined the ÀPC, Senator Emordi was not seen anywhere near Anambra while the electioneering lasted; not even the Onitsha North and Onitsha South legs of the Party’s local government campaigns.”
Ogene added, “Yesterday, Friday, December 10, 2021, perhaps desirous of yet another acting role, Senator Emordi elected to join the receding tribe of followers of Senator Chris Ngige, in his desperate bid to remain Leader of the Anambra State Chapter of the APC.
“While we concede to Senator Emordi the right to choose any role for herself, ignoble or self-serving, we hearken to remind her of the age-old maxim which demands that, anyone who alleges must prove.
“We, therefore, challenge Senator Emordi to, as a matter of patriotic obligation, disclose the person or persons – complete with video or documentary evidence – who assured her that the results of a yet-to-be-conducted election would be written.
“We further urge the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the National Headquarters of the APC, and the nation’s security agencies to take more than a cursory interest in the claims of Senator Emordi.
“For the records, Senator Uba and his team campaigned in all the 21 LGAs of Anambra State, and one refrain that was constant throughout was the need for free and fair processes – the substantial non-compliance of which has led him to seek judicial redress in the tribunal.”