By Ovat Abeng
The All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Anambra State have rejected Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu’s nomination as a minister-designate by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as an “anti-party action.”
During an emergency meeting of party stakeholders in Awka on Thursday, the APC leaders questioned the rationale behind the president’s decision to appoint her without consulting party members.
They described the appointment as a gross violation of party loyalty that undermines the morale of their members.
High Chief Bunty Onuigbo, South East Zonal Secretary of APC and member of the APC Elders Forum in Anambra, spoke on behalf of the stakeholders.
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“This is nothing but an act of anti-party, and it is detrimental. By empowering members of other political parties at the expense of the APC in Anambra State, Mr. President is not supporting party loyalty,” Onuigbo stated.
He questioned the implications of the appointment, asking, “Does Mr. President want a mass defection of APC members in Anambra to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)? Is he indirectly working for APGA in Anambra State?”
He expressed that the situation is both “unheard of and highly demoralising,” lamenting that the leadership in Abuja seems to be enhancing the fortunes of rival parties at the expense of the APC.
Onuigbo criticized APGA for monopolizing benefits from programmes or empowerment schemes, which he claimed only served their members while taking credit for initiatives that should include all stakeholders.
“This is a group that despises the APC and wants nothing to do with us. Mr. President is encouraging them by making such appointments,” he said.
Onuigbo announced that APC stakeholders have decided to formally present their grievances regarding these appointments to the state Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike, for submission to the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC).