Enugu APC crisis: Police seal off secretariat, chairman hit with ‘no confidence’ vote

The police have sealed off the secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu state.

The state police command shut the facility over the leadership crisis rocking the chapter of the party in the state.

Party leaders and other members were denied access to the secretariat, on Wednesday, as the crisis assumed a new dimension.

About 42 members of the state working committee of the APC were said to have passed a vote of no confidence on Ben Nwoye, the party chairman.

The committee had accused Nwoye of insubordination and balkanising the party at the state level.

Speaking on the development during a press conference, the committee members also accused Nwoye of gross misconduct and disregard for the party’s constitution.

Gilbert Chukwunta, deputy state chairman, said Nwoye had violated the congress guidelines as spelled out by the caretaker and extraordinary convention planning committee (CECPC) of the party.

Some of the state executive members at the press conference were Robert Eze, state secretary; Oby Nwofor, women leader; Joshua Mamah, youth leader; and Amaka Adonu, financial secretary.

The executive members said they are fighting to rescue the party from “looming dismemberment” should Nwoye remain as chairman.

The deputy state chairman said Nwoye unilaterally decided to inaugurate ward executives whom he handpicked, ignoring those elected by the ward delegates.

He said the inauguration took place even when the results of ward congresses of the party were yet to be ratified by the CECPC.

“Surprisingly, we saw our chairman, Ben Nwoye, wake up and swear in people who never contested in the congresses,” Chukwunta said.

“This was happening even when the results were yet to be ratified by the CECPC, even as the appeals committee is yet to commence its hearing.

“This you will agree with me is a flagrant disregard of the guidelines and capable of causing rancour within the party.

“This act can reduce our chances of winning the 2023 governorship elections and winning the state in the presidential elections.”