Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Donatus Nwankpa-led faction of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Abia State; and the Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu-led leadership of the party, have finally agreed to sheath their swords and work together for the sake of the state.
Both divides who have been in the trenches since 2019, held a reconciliation meeting at Ntalakwu Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government Area where they agreed to forge a united front ahead of 2023.
The gladiators, stakeholders and party members at the meeting, adopted Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu as the authentic Chairman of the party in the state, and Chief Ikechi Emenike as their governorship candidate.
They said that any other person with claims to the contrary should be ignored.
According to the party faithful and former gladiators, remaining in the trenches will not be in the interest of APC, hence the need to put their differences behind and team up as a united force to rescue the state from “misgovernance by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.”
They, therefore, agreed to collapse their structures into one for the sake of the state which they said, “is yearning for change and rescue.”
In a remark, former State Chairman of Abia APC, Hon. Nwankpa, who was at the helm of the factional wrangling said he would no longer be involved in any factionalisation in the party.
Nwankpa urged party members to jettison divisive activities and embrace the only one APC in Abia recognised by the national secretariat of the party.
He said that the people of Abia had suffered enough and needed the coming together of progressives in order to wrestle power from the PDP.
“Today we have achieved reconciliation. Today is the end of factionalisation in Abia APC,” he declared.
He added that there would be harmonization and total integration with participatory role for every party member.
Later a seven-point resolution adopted and affirmed at the meeting was read by the former Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Azubuike, who was in the factional camp before, the stakeholders agreed to begin on a new chapter.
In the resolution christened the “Ntalakwu Declaration,” the freshly reconciled party leaders and stakeholders affirmed Chief Emenike as leader and governorship candidate of Abia APC in 2023.
Addressing the gathering of party leaders, stakeholders, elders and members, Chief Emenike described the reconciliation in the Abia APC as “the first major step in the long journey to Abia government house,”
“We have everything in Abia APC to win election,” he said, adding with peace unity now prevailing in the party the 2023 general election would be a rich harvest for APC as the party would not only win the governorship but also the legislative seats.
He promised to provide a purposeful and inclusive leadership for Abia APC, giving every party member a sense of belonging that would spur them to work very hard for the success of the party in 2023.
“We are together,” he declared and assured that he would not renege in any of his promises to strengthen the party to take over power in Abia and make everybody happy.
Other speakers at the event include Deputy Chief Whip, House of Representatives, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; House spokesman, Hon Benjamin Kalu; National Welfare Officer of APC, Hon Friday Nwosu; former Labour Minister, Chief Emeka Wogu; the senatorial candidate of Abia APC for Abia Central, Hon Emeka Atuma, who hosted the party gathering; among others.
They all expressed gratitude over the newfound party unity and brought about by the landmark reconciliation which they hope to sustain for the growth and electoral success of the party.
Onyejeocha noted that every member of the party stood to gain so much if the party stayed united.
She urged everyone to be ready to make sacrifices, and to place the interest of the party above personal interests.
Onyejeocha said that the reconciliation had sent jitters to the PDP who had taught the party would remain factionalised.
