Why Anambra APC Chairman, Basil Ejidike, Was Excommunicated

Raymond Ozoji, Awka

The Chairman of the Anambra state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Basil Ejidike, has been excommunicated from the party, following the party’s abysmal performance at the November 6 governorship election in the state.

The decision to excommunicate the embattled chairman came during a meeting held at the party secretariat in Awka.

The resolution of the party signed by its state secretary Mr. Chukwuma Agufugo has it that the party will embark on a peace mission to return Dr. Chris Ngige, Chief George Moghalu and some others to the fold while the chairman remains suspended and excommunicated forthwith.

The resolution reads,  “Events in our dear party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Anambra State Chapter in the last couple of days have not been particularly fascinating considering our poor outing at the just concluded Governorship election three weeks ago.

“The alleged suspension of the state publicity secretary Arc Okelo Madukife by the state chairman and now the suspension of the state chairman Chief Basil Ejidike all certifies the above assertion.

“Political parties are set up to mobilise membership, campaign, run and win elections and not for internal bickering among members. Perennial failure and continuous internal rangling in our party calls for soul searching.

“It is bad enough that APC was not declared winner of the 2021 governorship election, a situation occasioned by several reasons according to our preliminary assessment.

“The array of suspension in APC Anambra State chapter shows that all is not well, hence the need for unity and refocus.

“The State Working Committee has received an official letter of suspension of the State Caretaker Committee chairman and has deliberated on that and other matters.

“As a result, it requested the Caretaker Chairman Chief Basil Ejidike to step aside. Consequently, a five man investigation committee will immediately be constituted to look into the matter and turn in report.

“We also resolved that in the spirit of pursuing the right course, it is important to reach out to Sen. Dr. Chris Ngige (Onwa), the leader of the party for consultation with other leaders including Sen. Dr. Andy Uba, Chief Dr. George Moghalu, Bar. Sharon Ikeazo, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Hon. Azuka Okwosa, Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo, Engr Bart Nwibe, Engr Nelson Onubuogu, all former Governorship aspirants and other leaders too numerous to mention.

“We hope to very quickly request and summon a caucus meeting where we shall present the report of the investigation committee and also for leaders to meet one on one to brainstorm on the way forward. Thereafter a stakeholders meeting will be held.

“We hope that you consider this misunderstanding an internal family issue that does not need to be blown out of proportion because it can only get worst before it gets better and this is the first point of recovery.”