As preparations for the Saturday, 28th March 2026 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) holding in Abuja gather momentum, Dr. Ben Nwoye has emerged as the consensus candidate for the position of the party’s Deputy National Chairman (South) DNC.
A former elected and immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in Enugu State Chapter, Dr Nwoye was widely seen as the potential aspirant for the position zoned to Enugu State. NewsBits learnt that Nwoye’s emergence followed consultations reportedly guided by a directive from President Bola Tinubu.
According to a source at the party’s National Secretariat who craved anonymity, the consensus arrangement for the convention scheduled had already received presidential support. The source said, “The issue of Deputy National Chairman South of our great party has long been resolved.”
The zoning arrangement empowered governors to determine candidates for positions allocated to their states,” the Source stated.
“Emma Eneukwu stood no chance because the governors were given the express power to determine who fills the positions zoned to their state,” the source stated.
Describing Nwoye as a seasoned party figure, the source said his candidacy attracted broad acceptance within party ranks, particularly with the backing of the Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
“Ben Nwoye is an astute party man, hence accepting his candidacy was without much problem, and his governor, Peter Mbah, was resolute on his choice. Congratulations to him and the Progressives because this has once again shown that the APC is very organised and has a way of reconciling all interests,” the source added.
NewsBits recalls that the contest for the position intensified amid alleged attempts by external interests to influence candidates for offices zoned to Enugu State.
But inside sources said that Governor Mbah’s intervention helped to formalise and reinforce the decision within the state’s leadership, thereby voiding external pressures and paving the way for Nwoye’s emergence.
