By Tony Adibe
The newly inaugurated Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, has rendered void all suspensions previously imposed on members by the now dissolved Ugochukwu Agballa-led executive, declaring them null and void.
Nwoye, who bounced back to the leadership of the party following the dissolution of the Agballa-led Executive by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party last Thursday, said this while addressing a large gathering of party leaders and supporters at the APC Secretariat in Enugu shortly after returning from Abuja on Saturday.
NewsBits learnt that those who were said to have been slammed with suspension by the then Agballah-led executive included former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Ex-governor Sullivan Chime, former speaker and current secretary of the caretaker committee, Barr. Eugene Odoh, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, former Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, and a host of others.
But having returned to office, Nwoye, a former elected chairman of the Enugu State APC described the series of suspensions imposed by the previous leadership as a “political caricature” that undermined the strength and unity of the party in the state.
Dr. Ben Nwoye
He declared “null and void, and therefore of no effect”, all suspensions – whether communicated through audio messages, letters, or Radio announcements. “How can you suspend the very people you need to win elections?” Nwoye queried.
While stressing that the party must rebuild from within, the politician also pleaded with the party leaders at all levels to henceforth embark on what he regarded as a “reconciliation and reintegration process aimed at bringing back every member who felt sidelined or unjustly treated.”
The Caretaker Committee Chairman recalled that the National leadership of APC gave him a clear mandate to return to Enugu and unite the party ahead of its critical political contests in the state. Nwoye emphasised that the political atmosphere in Enugu has significantly changed with the emergence of Governor Peter Mbah, noting that his official coming has ushered in a new political dawn for the APC.
He warned that the party can no longer afford to remain divided or silent in the evolving political landscape. According to him, “With the right strategy and unity of purpose, APC will not remain on the sidelines in Enugu. We will be the party that sets the agenda and defines the next political direction of this state.”
Earlier on arrival at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, Nwoye said that with the entry of Governor Peter Mbah, Enugu would regain all those things it lost in the past.
NewsBits reports that there was jubilation at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport by members of the State APC, who trooped out to receive Nwoye, who returned with some of his members. Nwoye, however, described Governor Mbah as a “man who has achieved so many good things in various sectors of the state economy within two years.”
While emphasising that Mbah is not joining the APC for himself, Nwoye explained that the governor is joining the party for his people.
