Chief Ikechi Emenike
The factional structure operating within the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) finally ceased to exist on Saturday 18th June 2022, following a landmark reconciliation of all aggrieved party members at a meeting held at Ntalakwu Oboro, Ikwuano local government, Abia State.
The much awaited unity in the main opposition party became a was achieved after the factional group and their leaders buried the hatchet and collapsed their structures to forge a united front under the leadership of High Chief Ikechi Emenike, the governorship candidate of the party.
It was a new feeling of oneness and unity of purpose as the executives of the factional group from the 184 wards and 17 local governments of Abia as well as their state executives accepted to be reconciled and integrated into the authentic party structure under the leadership of Chief Emenike.
Former state chairman of Abia APC, Hon Donatus Nwankpa, who was at the helm of the factional wranglings was on hand to preach peace and reconciliation and urged party members to jettison divisive activities and embrace the only one APC in Abia recognised by the national secretariat of the party.
Hon Donatus Nwankpa
He said that the people of Abia have been crying for APC “to save them from slavery” of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but due to the divisions in the ranks of the main opposition the yoke of bad governance still exists in the state.
“Today we have achieved reconciliation. Today is the end of factionalisation in Abia APC,” Nwankpa stated, adding that there will be harmonisation and total integration with participatory role for every party member.
The new sense of unity was loudly echoed in the seven-point resolution adopted and affirmed at the meeting and read by thr former Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Azubuike, who was in the factional camp before.
In their resolution which they christened the “Ntalakwu Declaration” the freshly reconciled party leaders and stakeholders affirmed Chief Emenike as leader and governorship candidate of Abia APC with Dr Kingsley Ononogbu as the state chairman.
Addressing the gathering of party leaders, stakeholders, elders and members, Chief Emenike described the reconciliation in the Abia APC as “the first major step in the long journey to Abia government house”.
“We have everything in Abia APC to win election,” he said, adding with peace unity now prevailing in the party the 2023 general election would be a rich harvest for APC as the party would not only win the governorship but also the legislative seats.
He promised to provide a purposeful and inclusive leadership for Abia APC, giving every party me,ever a sense of belonging that would spur them to work very hard for the success ofnthe party in 2023.
“We are together,” he declared and assured that he would not renege in any of his promises to strengthen the party to take over power in Abia and make everybody happy.
Other speakers at the event include Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, House spokesman, Hon Benjamin Kalu, national welfare officer of APC, Hon Friday Nwosu, former labour minister, Chief Emeka Wogu, the senatorial candidate of Abia APC for Abia Central, Hon Emeka Atuma, who hosted the party gathering.
Hon Ben kalu
They all expressed gratitude over the new found party unity and brought about by the landmark reconciliation which they to sustain for the growth and electoral success of the party.
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