The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southeast on Wednesday held a zonal congress at Hotel Presidential, Enugu, adopting a consensus arrangement that produced a new zonal executive led by Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu as chairman.
The congress, attended by top party leaders and stakeholders from across the region, witnessed the dissolution of the outgoing zonal executive and the seamless emergence of new officers through consensus, in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who also chairs the Southeast Governors’ Forum, set the tone for the exercise, emphasizing unity and progress within the party. “We are here for our country,” Uzodimma declared. “I bring you greetings from the leader of our great party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and to assure you that Nigeria is moving forward and our economy is progressing.”
According to him, the leadership of the party had agreed to conduct the congress through consensus. He said: “In line with Article 20.1 of our constitution, we have agreed to move our zonal congress by consensus. This is to ensure unity and allow our members to return home on time.”
Governor Francis Nwifuru subsequently moved a motion for the dissolution of the existing zonal executive, which was seconded by Senator Patrick Ndubueze. 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. The successful conduct of the congress is seen as a major step toward strengthening the APC’s structure in the Southeast ahead of its forthcoming national convention.
