Abia APC crisis to be resolved as reconciliation panel submits report

There were indications that the leadership crisis rocking the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) might be resolved as the Reconciliation Committee announced its readiness to submit the report of its assignment.

According to the committee Chairman, Chris Adighije, who spoke to journalists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the panel has concluded its task and is ready to hand in the report, which, he said, will put paid to all contending issues.

Flanked by Martins Azubuike, Adighije recalled how the committee was set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) to address the crisis. He said: “Having heard from all parties to the misunderstanding, I am confident that APC would triumph in Abia in next year’s elections.”

Recall that on August 4, a reconciliatory committee was set up by the party’s NWC with the mandate to reconcile aggrieved stakeholders in the state, following allegations over state congresses and primaries.

Headed by the former Abia Central Senator, Adighije, other members of the committee included, Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikoh; Emeka Atuma; Martins Azubuike; former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Emeka Wogu; APC National Welfare Secretary, Sir F.N. Nwosu and the state rival APC gubernatorial candidate, Chief Ikechi Emenike.

APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, in his remarks, had charged the panel to do the needful and unite the state chapter to be able to prosecute the 2023 elections as a family “by lobbying and reconciling considering that politics is local.”

Speaking on the steps taken so far by his committee, Adighije, who is also the Pro-Chancellor, and Chairman, Governing Council, Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, said the committee started by engaging stakeholders in the state to capture all shades of opinion.

He said the opinions helped to shape the committee’s report, remarking that they are far-reaching to the extent that the committee is recommending punitive measures against recalcitrant members, even as he pleaded with stakeholders and members of APC in the state to sheath their swords and give peace a chance.

“There is no way anyone would say we have delivered when APC wins at the national level and lose at the states. It would be assumed that the Abia people did not contribute much to the victory at the centre. The reconciliation committee was, therefore, to strengthen the party to bring about inclusion and unity.