A group of All Progressives Congress (APC) foundation members in Enugu North Senatorial District has appealed to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to intervene in the alleged removal of some party ward and local government executives. The group, known as G-30 Enugu North Senatorial Zone, made the appeal in a statement signed by Barth Ugwoke, a former APC director of Research, Strategy and Intelligence Matters. They urged the governor to ascertain the circumstances and authority under which the changes were made.
The group alleged that some ward and local government area executives who emerged from the party's congresses in March had been removed and replaced without explanation communicated to the affected officials. The affected executives were nominated through the foundation APC structure as part of an arrangement designed to integrate members of the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party and the foundation APC into a unified party structure in the state. This arrangement was made to ensure a stronger, more united and more inclusive APC in Enugu State.
According to the group, they were among those who welcomed the governor and other former PDP leaders and members into the APC. They appreciated the arrangement under which the existing PDP structure was integrated with the foundation APC and other political tendencies. The group respected the arrangement, which allowed the 18 existing PDP executives at the ward and LGA levels to retain their positions, while the foundation APC members and former Labour Party members occupied the remaining nine positions.
The group demanded the restoration of the duly elected executives to their respective positions where no valid resignation, disciplinary finding, anti-party activity or other constitutionally recognised ground exists. They also urged the governor to direct that any future changes to elected party structures be made strictly in accordance with the APC Constitution and applicable party procedures. This, they believe, will ensure fairness and inclusiveness in dealing with the foundation APC members.
The group emphasized that an elected party office should not be treated as an appointment that can simply be withdrawn or reassigned at the discretion of individuals. They noted that where an elected official is alleged to have committed an offence or violated party rules, the appropriate disciplinary and constitutional procedures should ordinarily be followed, with the affected person given an opportunity to respond. This is in line with the APC's previous actions in announcing suspensions and dissolutions of ward and LGA executives.
The APC's actions in the past demonstrate the importance of establishing and communicating the basis for any such fundamental alteration of party structures. The group encouraged the state party leadership to embrace consultation, fairness and inclusiveness in dealing with the foundation APC members whose commitment and sacrifices helped sustain the party before the recent political realignment. They also appealed for the proper integration of foundation members, devoid of lopsided appointments and preserving the unity of the new APC.
The group's appeal is contained in a statement signed by Barth Ugwoke, a former APC director of Research, Strategy and Intelligence Matters, on Wednesday in Enugu. The statement highlights the concerns of the foundation APC members in Enugu North Senatorial District and their desire for Governor Mbah to intervene in the matter. The governor has not publicly commented on the issue, but the group remains hopeful that he will take their appeal into consideration.
Key points
- The group wants Governor Mbah to restore the removed APC executives.
- The executives were removed without explanation or valid reasons.
- The group urges the governor to ensure future changes follow APC Constitution and procedures.
