The South-East zonal leadership of the All Progressives Congress emerged on Wednesday following a consensus arrangement adopted during the party’s congress held at the Hotel Presidential, Enugu.
The congress was attended by the governors of Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi states, Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodimma and Francis Nwifuru, respectively.
Delegates arrived at the venue before 10am but proceedings did not commence until about 3pm when the governors arrived. Party sources attributed the delay to disagreements over the consensus list, although the leaders later resolved the issues before the exercise began.
The consensus arrangement produced a new zonal executive led by Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu.
Speaking at the congress, Uzodimma, who also chairs the South-East Governors’ Forum, stressed the need for unity within the party.
“We are here for our country,” he said, adding that he conveyed greetings from President Bola Tinubu and expressed optimism about the country’s economic direction.
“In line with Article 20.1 of our constitution, we have agreed to move our zonal congress by consensus. This is to ensure unity and allow our members to return home on time,” Uzodimma added.
Nwifuru subsequently moved a motion for the dissolution of the outgoing zonal executive, which was seconded by Senator Patrick Ndubueze.
Following the dissolution, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, presented the list of consensus candidates for adoption, announcing Arodiogbu as the vice chairman for the South-East zone.
“I hereby move that these names be adopted as the consensus candidates for this zonal congress,” Kalu said.
He also moved motions adopting consensus as the mode of the congress in line with Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act and ratifying the outcomes of ward, local government and state congresses across the region.
The Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Uchenna Ugwu, seconded the motions, which were approved by delegates.
Other members of the zonal executive include Chief Innocent Itakpa Azuoba as secretary, Rex Mayor Ogbonna as legal adviser, Henry Onwughalaonye as publicity secretary, Chima Kenneth Ogbonnaya as youth leader, Dr Nwachukwu as leader for persons with disabilities, Dr Oby Aji as woman leader and Chief Arinze Ikedife as organising secretary.
In his remarks, Mbah described the congress as a demonstration of unity within the party in the South-East.
“APC in the South-East is solid. Our presence here today is a testament to the fact that APC is South-East and South-East is APC,” he said.
He also commended President Tinubu for his reforms, noting that they had placed the country on the path of economic growth.
The congress attracted party leaders, including former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Deputy National Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu, Senators Osita Izunaso, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Uche Ekwunife, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, Kelvin Chukwu and Osita Ngwu.
Also in attendance were the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiru Onyejeocha; former Minister Chris Ngige; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Udeh; members of the House of Representatives and other stakeholders.
The party conducts periodic zonal and state congresses to elect leadership at various levels, including national, state, and zonal executives, in line with its constitution and the Electoral Act.