The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Abia State, is set for a battle to finish as who gets Ministerial appointment in the incoming Administration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu divides the Party into several factions.
In a swift bid to take control and decides who gets what from Abia, the faction of the Party led by the Governorship candidate in the just concluded 2023 General elections, Chief Ikechi Emenike has suspended top ranking members of the party including serving National Assembly members. Those suspended include:
Former Minister for Mines & steel development, Dr Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah who was suspended from his ward, ward 8 in Isuikwuato LGA. He was accused of sponsoring his brother Amobi Ogah who contested for the House of Representatives under the platform of the Labour Party(LP). He was also alleged to have publicly donated and campaigned for the Labour Party and its Guber and Presidential candidates in Abia.
Member representing Ikwuano Umuahia federal constituency, Rt Hon. Sam Onuigbo was suspended at his Ibere ward 2 in Ikwuano LGA of Abia state. He was suspended for working for the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party Mr Peter Obi and House of Representatives candidate of the PDP for Ikwuano Umuahia federal constituency Rt Hon Chinedum Orji.
Former Senator of the Federal Republic and Former Pro-chancellor of University of Calabar, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu was suspended at her ward 8 in Osisioma Ngwa LGA of Abia state and was accused of working for the Young Progressives Party (YPP). Senator Nkechi Nwaogu on her own accused Emenike of spoiling the chances of the Party in the state by clinching the Guber ticket when he knows he is not contesting for Governor rather looking for a ministerial appointment.
Prince Paul Ikonne who is the Executive Secretary of National Land Development Agency (NALDA), he was suspended in ward 4, Aba North LGA for working for the Governorship candidate of the PDP in Abia state, including donating vehicles for his campaign.
Former Deputy Governor of Abia state & Commissioner representing the state RAMFAAC, Comrade Chris Akomas, was suspended from ward 3 in Obingwa LGA, for supporting PDP Guber candidate Chief Okey Ahiwe, he was suspended along side Hon Nyerere Anyim, Chief Sam Nkire, from ward 3 & 4 respectively in Obingwa LGA.
Former Speaker Abia State House of Assembly and former member Representing Ikwuano Umuahia federal Constituency, Rt Hon Stanley Ohajuruka, he was suspended from Urban ward 1 Umuahia North LGA of Abia state and others.
Majority of those suspended have gotten federal appointments from the Buhari led government and are positioned to get more in the incoming administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Most also served as members of the APC presidential campaign council here in Abia.
In retaliation, the faction led by Dr Sampson Uchechukwu Ogah has suspended Dr Kingsley Ononogbu who is the state chairman of the party, Secretary Chidi Avajah and his entire executive. Also suspend include the Governorship candidate of the Party High Chief Ikechi Emenike, all those suspended belong to the Emenike faction of the APC in the state.
All these are coming at the brink of a new Administration at the center. The battle in APC started in 2018 during the build up to the 2019 General elections.
The leader of the Party Senator Orji kalu looks to be serious with his ambition to become Senate President or Deputy Senate President, Rep Member Benjamin kalu is busy with his ambition to become speaker, while Rt Hon Nkeiruka Onyejiocha is busy using every available contact to reclaim her mandate according to her.
Who will get the ministerial slot for Abia?
