Abia APC in Turmoil as Dispute Emerges Over Multiple Nominations for Vacant NWC Position

By Daniel Edu

Tensions have erupted within the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to an internal conflict regarding the selection of a nominee to fill an open slot within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), specifically for the role of National Welfare Officer.

Fractures have arisen as the state chapter grapples with the choice between two contenders for the position, which is designated for the state’s representation.

The vacancy for the National Welfare Secretary arose following the passing of Friday Nwosu in March.

Reports reveal that the State Executive Committee put forward Rev. Dan Imo as a nominee on March 28, 2023. However, this decision reportedly faced opposition from some influential figures in the state who raised concerns about Rev. Dan Imo’s relatively short two-year tenure in the party.

A high-ranking party official pointed out that the state executives’ actions deviated from established protocols governing such nominations.

Article 31.5 of the APC Constitution outlines the protocol for filling a vacancy, stating, “In the event of a vacancy, the office shall be filled as follows: In the case of a National/Zonal Officer, the State Executive Committee shall propose a replacement to the State Congress and Zonal Executive Committee for endorsement. Thereafter, the name shall be sent to the National Working Committee, which shall forward the same to the National Executive Committee for approval.”

Furthermore, it has been revealed that the Abia executive branch neither conducted a state Congress nor consulted the zonal executive committee. Instead, they submitted the nominee’s name directly to the NWC.

A prominent party member from Abia raised questions, stating, “Even if we were to assume, without conceding, that they possess the authority, which of their two nominees would the National Executive Committee (NEC) ultimately endorse?”

He went on to elaborate, “The Constitution does not make provisions for proposing a replacement without the involvement of a congress. The stipulation in Article 31.5 signifies that the state executive committee is meant to propose a replacement to the state congress, which is then presented to the Zonal Executive Committee for their endorsement. Only after this process should a name be put forth to the National Working Committee. Subsequently, the National Working Committee sends it to the National Executive Committee for final approval.”