Ben Nwoye, the former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu, has resigned his membership of the party.

Nwoye announced his departure from the party during a press conference in Enugu on Thursday, citing a resignation letter addressed to the Amurri Ward chairman.

Nwoye, who served as the chairman of the APC in the state between 2014 and 2021, said the party in the south-east is plagued by “vindictive politics”.

He also cited an “irreconcilable internal crisis” in Enugu and across the south-east as his reason for quitting the ruling party.

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“With a deep sense of responsibility, I write to inform you that I hereby resign as a member of APC,” he said.

Nwoye said the Enugu chapter of the party had disintegrated beyond repair, adding that there are only two skeletal factions of the APC left in the state, each controlled by opposing leaders.

“The bunch of the broom, which we painstakingly tied together in 2013 at a time when we were called unprintable names, has loosened and permanently scattered,” he said.

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“All efforts made by the party elders to gather the broom and reassemble it have failed.

“In its current form, further attempts to reassemble the broom in Enugu state is no longer practicable.

“One of the strong men claims chairmanship by judicial pronouncement; the other claims chairmanship through arrogant disobedience of the same judicial pronouncement, aided by the silent approval of the national leadership.

“To them, the supremacy of the party is measured by how low they could go to oppress their perceived political enemies.

“These they do, without recourse to the core principles upon which APC stands—justice, peace, and unity.

“To say the least, the zonal leadership in the south-east has lost direction.”

The ex-chairman alleged that the APC national leadership has “ignored the Enugu crisis, disregarding reconciliation calls and alienating loyal members, exacerbating party conflicts”.

He added that the party’s regional leadership is not interested in expanding beyond the two states it currently controls.

“In the meantime, the national leadership of the party is basking in the euphoria of power, being the party under which the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the majority of the members of the national assembly were elected,” he said.

“The APC national leadership has therefore maintained willful blindness; hence, allowing the warring factions to self-destruct and strangulate the party in Enugu state.

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“Loyal party members calling for party unity are treated like conquered and captured political warriors.

“On the basis stated above, I engaged in extensive consultations with my grassroots followers, and I have come to the conclusion that it is time to move on.

“I am not a political prisoner. I have never been, and I can never be.”

Nwoye added that the problems in Enugu are also evident in other south-east states.

He cited the case of Anambra, where, according to him, the party leadership ignored the input of a senior figure before picking its governorship candidate.

…His return, death of opposition in Enugu, says Chukwunweike, PDP Chair

… ­­It ushers in united front for development – Council Chairman

The Peoples Democratic Party, Isi-uzo Local Government Area in Enugu State, at the weekend, staged a grand reception to formally welcome the Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, a development the state’s Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike, described as the end of opposition in the state.

This was even as the Council Chairman of Isi-Uzo, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, empahsised that Edeoga’s return had presented Isi-Uzo and Enugu State a common front for development.

The colourful homecoming, which held at Ikem, headquarters of Isi-Uzo LGA, was also marked by a reception at the residence of the former PDP Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani.

Enugu PDP leaders at Isi-Uzo to receive Edeoga back to the party

Speaking at the occasion at Ikem, Dr. Chukwunweike, commended the former LP governorship flagbearer for accepting the hand of fellowship and partnership, assuring that Enugu PDP remained irrevocably committed to fairness, equity, and inclusive development.

“Let us work together. Rest assured that what is happening today is just the beginning of a better tomorrow for all of us. Our Governor is determined to ensure that things go well. He wants all of us to be part of the development he is bringing.

“The Governor is our leader, but he cannot lead alone. He needs our people to work with him to deliver. Enugu has remained a PDP state, and it will continue. In 2027, we will return to our normal PDP days,” he said.

In his welcome address, Barr. Obeagu, who ascribed Edeoga’s return to the former LP chieftain’s democratic credentials and Governor Peter Mbah’s transformative leadership qualities, appreciated the state and zonal party leaders for their efforts in “collapsing opposition and reuniting party members in the state,” noting a new PDP had emerged in Enugu under the chairmanshipp of the State Chairman, Dr. Chukwunweike.

The Council Chairman also highlighted Governor Mbah’s numerous development projects and the efforts Isi-Uzo Council under his leadership had made to follow in the footsteps of the governor, and called on the people of Isi-Uzo to unite in moving the local government forward.

“We are welcoming you home with open hands and hearts. I make bold to say that the magnanimity of our governor and the bold step taken by our dear brother and his supporters is an open cheque for us to chart a great future for the people of Isi-Uzo Local Government. It presents a united and uncommon front for development.

“It is also a paradigm shift from the way politics is played in Enugu State. It shows that you are a true democrat, who understands that the end of governance is the public good. So, I commend you and your teeming supporters for this demonstration of sportsmanship by towing the line of peace, unity, and rapprochement.

“Your return is a massive addition to the political profile of Isi-Uzo Local Government and a great gain in our development drive. I, therefore, urge those who fan the embers of division and hatred for their own selfish interests to desist from such acts, as the train of Isi-Uzo is already moving,” he concluded.

In his remarks, Edeoga thanked the party leadership for their efforts in unifying all political stakeholders, describing Governor Mbah as a sophisticated individual armed with the necessary wealth of experience and qualities to take Enugu State to enviable heights.

He maintained that his decision to return to PDP was based on the principles of justice, fairness, and the dire need to move Isi-Uzo Local Government and the state forward.

“We have made a case for Isi-Uzo, and the consciousness is there; it has become a national and international issue. We must continue to make a case for Isi-Uzo. So, please, take this message home that Isi-Uzo is hungry for inclusion,” he said.

The Chairman of PDP in Isi-Uzo LGA, Hon. Jacob Abonyi, thereafter, formally received the returnees back in the party’s fold and expressed happiness over the development.

The event was attended by critical stakeholders in the Isi-Uzo, including Member representing Isi-Uzo in the House of Assembly, Hon. Gabrial Eze; Chairman, Isi-Uzo Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Okey Ogbodo as well as the traditional ruler of Ebor Ishiala Eha-Amufu, HRH Igwe Philemon Obeagu; Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu; former state Chairman of the PDP, Nnamani, among others.

The Supreme Court on Friday removed Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the Labour Party.

In a unanimous judgment, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court set aside the decision of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which had recognised Abure as the party’s national chairman.

The apex court in its decision, held that the appellate court lacked the jurisdiction to make such a declaration, given that the substance of the case concerned the internal leadership of the party.

The court emphasised that matters relating to party leadership are internal affairs, over which the judiciary has no jurisdiction.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court noted that the appeal filed by Senator Esther Usman and another was allowed, having been found to be meritorious.

The court also observed that, based on the submissions before it, Abure’s tenure had already expired.

Consequently, it dismissed the cross-appeal filed by the Abure faction of the Labour Party.