Anambra APC crisis deepens as a faction boycotts national fact-finding committee

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra state leadership crisis has taken a new turn as the faction led by Ifeanyi Osegbo has refused to cooperate with the five-member fact-finding committee constituted by the party’s national leadership to resolve the lingering crisis in the state.

 

The Osegbo faction declined to appear before the committee, maintaining its opposition to the committee’s constitution and insisting that it does not recognize its legitimacy.

 

Meanwhile, stakeholders and party faithful loyal to the state chairman, Emma Anosike, have thrown their weight behind the committee, describing its establishment as a welcome development aimed at harmonizing the various interest groups within the party.

 

The stakeholders also commended the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Emeka Okafor, for spearheading efforts toward peace, reconciliation, and unity within the party.

 

It would be recalled that the faction led by Osegbo had earlier obtained a court order against the state executive of the party.

 

However, the national leadership of the APC has approached the court seeking a stay of execution and also filed an appeal challenging the ruling.

 

Mike Ejezie, while speaking on behalf of the Anambra APC stakeholders, described the committee as a bold step in the right direction.

 

According to him, the intervention by the national leadership was both fair and necessary, noting that whenever disputes arise within the party, it is appropriate for the leadership to constitute an intervention panel to investigate the issues and recommend solutions.

 

He said the stakeholders commend the national leadership of the party for taking ownership of the crisis by convening a meeting that culminated in the establishment of the five-member committee.

 

Ejezie, alongside other party stakeholders, expressed confidence in the committee but urged its members to remain fair, impartial, and transparent in carrying out their assignment.

 

He dismissed concerns expressed in some quarters over the composition of the committee, insisting that people should not judge the committee before it concludes its assignment.

 

“The committee should discharge its duties diligently in the interest of peace within the party. Both factions should see the committee as a step in the right direction because all we desire is peace so that we can approach the next election as a united party and ensure victory for the APC,” he said.

 

Elijah Onyeagba, the APC House of Representatives candidate for the Dunukofia/Njikoka/Anaocha Federal Constituency, noted that, without prejudice to matters currently pending before the courts, the responsibility of the committee is to investigate the circumstances that led to the factionalisation of the party and not to deliberate on issues already before the judiciary.

 

According to him, the national leadership demonstrated wisdom by setting up the committee, stressing that it would be detrimental for the APC to approach future elections as a divided party.

 

He added that once peace and unity are restored, the party would be in a stronger position to prepare for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on the progress made so far, the Chairman of the Fact-Finding Committee, Azuka Okwuosa, disclosed that the committee has already engaged with about 90 per cent of the party’s stakeholders and members across the state.

According to him, the consultations have yielded far-reaching outcomes.

Reacting to concerns expressed by some members over the committee, Okwuosa said there was no cause for alarm.

He acknowledged that while a few individuals may choose not to cooperate, the overwhelming majority of party members have been supportive of the committee’s work.

“Our objective is to prevent a recurrence of this kind of crisis in the future. With elections approaching, we must put our house in order before going to the electorate.”

However, the factional chairman of the party, Osegbo, maintained that his group would not appear before the committee because it has no confidence in its composition and mandate.

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“Yes, during that meeting we did not agree with the decision to set up the committee, and that is why we issued a statement declining to appear before it.

 

“We have completely dissociated ourselves from the committee and all its activities,” he added.