Abia State chapter of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC has said the only legally recognised local government congress in the state is the one conducted by Hon. Donatus Nwankpa-led executive, insisting that no other congress took place.
Acting state party chairman, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa in a chat with newsmen on Saturday shortly after the collation and announcement of the election result, said whatever is happening in Abia APC is a family issue that will later be resolved and not factionalization of the party.
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“A team led by one man arrived at the office of Abia Resident Electoral Commissioner by 9pm on Friday and has not been sighted,” he said adding that he has been in touch with those who oversee the congress.
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According to him, “They were in the state on their own. We declare any other congress as a nullity.
“The decision to hold the congress is in line with the growing chapter of the party“, disclosing that a 3-man appeal committee led by the state Legal Adviser, Barr Perfect Okorie has been set up to deal with petitions.
Declaring the results, the Returning Officer and the state Legal adviser, Barr Onuoha Merenyechi Nwokoma said the congress was duly monitored by INEC, DSS, NSCDC, and others and who duly signed the results.
Returning Officer/Legal Adviser, Barr. Nwokoma, announcing the LG Congress result
He explained that the local government executives emerged through consensus, adding that where that failed, indirect election, using Option A4 was adopted.
He said the exercise was peaceful because grassroots leaders must emerge through the popular choice of the people.
“We believe in fairness, we believe in equal participation, we believe in level playing ground, we believe in the expression of the will of the people,” Nwankpa said.
Nwankpa further explained that the State chapter had to rely on the ruling of Ukwa High Court to organise the local government congresses because officers sent from the national secretariat arrived Abia Friday, visited INEC by 9 pm and disappeared.
“We acted pursuant to the ruling of Ukwa High Court presided over by Justice C.H.Ahuchaogu which declared any other congress done outside the legally recognized state apparatus of this party as a nullity.
“In line with that and by strength of that position and by strength of the resolution of stakeholders of this party, we have conducted our Congresses and we will stand by it and we declare this our Congresses as legitimate, right, and proper.
“This Congress is done in line with the desire and aspiration of the fastest growing chapter of APC in the whole country.
“I have the mandate of the leader of the party in this state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and other leaders, all members of the State Working Committee and the State Enlarged Executive Council, the 17 local government chairmen, the 184 ward chairmen, and to that effect, that was why they (ward chairmen) were sworn in before this Congress to give what we are doing impetus, legitimacy and to make it valid which will stand the test of law in line with the ongoing court case in Ukwa High Court,” Nwankpa said.
He insisted that any other local government Congress done outside the party executive was illegal.
Nwankpa also announced the setting up of a three-man Appeal Committee to resolve complaints arising from the Local Government Congresses.
The Committee which has 72 hours to complete its assignment is chaired by the Secretary of the party, Barr. Perfect Okorie, with Barr Merenyechi Onuoha Nwokoma, Dr. Mrs Nwokennaya as members, while the party’s Administrative Secretary, Chief Paul Meregini, would serve as Secretary of the Appeal Panel.
“Whatever the Appeal panel comes up with respect to this congress, the party will implement it,” he emphasized.
While announcing the Local Government Congress result, the State Legal Adviser, Barr. Onouha Merenyechi Nwokoma, who also served as the Congress Returning Officer, said the exercise was successfully conducted.
Nwokoma announced the names of those who emerged party chairmen in the15 local governments as follows:
Aba South – Elder Chijioke Nwogu
Arochukwu – John I. Okoro
Bende – Ulu Onwuchekwa
Ikwuano – Ogbonna Mbakwe
Isiala Ngwa North – Mentor Joshua Onyekwere
Isiala Ngwa South – Ezinwa Nwauzor
Obingwa – Hon. Chinedum Ihesiulo
Ohafia – Emma Nwosu
Ukwa West – Temple Nwachukwu
Ugwunagbo – Hon. Chibuzor C.N. Zacchaeus
Isuikwuato – Royal Omokereke
Umummeochi – Ole David O.
Ukwa East – Hon. Ernest Sunday
Umuahia North – Samuel Akagu
Umuahia South -Emenike Uluorji
Osisioma – Chief Ngozi Ukaegbu
