Unease has gripped the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the reported exclusion of key foundation members and prominent party figures from a recent stakeholders’ meeting held in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area.
Those reportedly sidelined include a serving Federal Commissioner in the National Population Commission (NPC) and three-time Enugu State commissioner, Hon. Ejike Eze; former Commissioner for Agriculture and immediate past Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Hillary Edeoga; former Commissioner for Rural Development, Hon. Casmir Ugwu; and former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Dr. Jideofor Ebe.
Also absent from the meeting were former Isi-Uzo Local Government caretaker chairmen—Chief Eric Ebeh, Hon. Moses Ugwu, Hon. Emmanuel Igwurube and Hon. Emmanuel Ugwu—as well as other longstanding party stakeholders.
Party insiders, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the excluded members were not given the opportunity to make inputs in the ongoing nationwide APC e-registration exercise, contrary to directives from the party’s national leadership that all members should be fully carried along.
According to the sources, the meeting was dominated by recent defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), many of whom are said to be nursing political ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections. They warned that such selective engagement could breed disaffection among loyal APC members and weaken the party’s cohesion in Isi-Uzo.
“One woke up to see pictures of current and former elected officials—chairmen, House of Assembly members, House of Representatives members and former PDP chairmen—paraded as major stakeholders under the APC-led administration,” a source said. “Shockingly, not a single APC foundation member from Isi-Uzo was invited.”
The source further questioned the rationale behind recognising former PDP leaders as major stakeholders while excluding former APC chairmen and long-serving party loyalists.
“Isi-Uzo had existing APC structures before these defections. Some people contested elections under APC while they were still in PDP. Today, those same APC loyalists are suddenly not qualified to attend stakeholders’ meetings,” the source added.
Concerns were also raised over the apparent redefinition of “stakeholders” to include only current and former elected officials, while party financiers and grassroots supporters—such as Alhaji Friday Sani Nnaji, Prince Nnaemeka Ugwu and even the current Deputy Chairman—were reportedly sidelined.
The source cautioned that the meeting should not be used as a platform to orchestrate the emergence of a preferred chairman for Isi-Uzo Local Government in the forthcoming council elections. It was also alleged that administrators of development centres in the area were treated as mere spectators rather than stakeholders.
“That administrative structure needs urgent attention,” the source said. “As for 2027, voters will ultimately decide. But it is time to ask whose interests these political gatherings truly serve—the people’s, the party’s, or personal ambitions.”
The source warned that continued divisive politics could cost the APC dearly in Isi-Uzo in future elections, stressing that the party should not be surprised by electoral defeat if internal grievances remain unaddressed.
Comments