The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) Fact-Finding and Reconciliation Committee has insisted that Senator Emma Anosike remains the authentic chairman of the party in Anambra State, despite a court ruling that initially restrained him from functioning in that capacity.

The committee, led by the Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Ben Nwoye, made the declaration on Monday evening shortly  after a courtesy visit to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.

He said the committee, which also includes the National Woman Leader, Dr. Mary Alile Idele; Deputy National Secretary, Prof. Kana, SAN; National Legal Adviser, Barrister Murtala Kankia; and the National Leader of Persons with Disabilities, was constituted by the National Working Committee following the court dispute to restore peace and unity within the Anambra APC.

Nwoye explained that although a court had earlier removed Anosike and barred him from parading himself as the state chairman, the party subsequently obtained a stay of execution pending the determination of the appeal.

“So Senator Anosike is still the chairman of the party in Anambra State until further notice. He is our chairman,” Nwoye declared.

Nwoye disclosed that the delegation visited Governor Mbah to appreciate him for sponsoring the committee’s peace mission in Anambra, describing the governor’s support as instrumental to the reconciliation efforts.

“The purpose of our visit is to thank His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for accepting to sponsor the National Party’s peace mission in Anambra State. We felt it was important to appreciate him before proceeding with our engagements in Anambra,” he said.

According to him, the committee had already held several stakeholders’ meetings in Abuja and would continue the reconciliation process in Awka by engaging party leaders, youths, women, persons with disabilities and grassroots members across the state’s 326 wards and 21 local government areas.

He said the mission was aimed at assuring party members that the National Working Committee stood firmly behind them and that the APC had overcome its internal divisions.

“We are going to tell them that the National Working Committee is with the party, that peace has returned, and that APC is united and ready to fight for every single vote and every elective position in Anambra State,” Nwoye stated.

Responding to questions on the alleged disenchantment of the party’s immediate past governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Nwoye dismissed speculations that the former candidate had distanced himself from the APC.

He said Ukachukwu actively participated in the reconciliation meetings held in Abuja and was unanimously recognised by stakeholders as the leader of the APC in Anambra State.

“Anyone saying that Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu has left the party is not telling the truth. He is the leader of the party in Anambra State, a bona fide member and a respected stakeholder who is leading the charge for reconciliation,” he said.

The APC chieftain also dismissed criticisms over the appointment of individuals perceived not to be APC members into President Bola Tinubu’s administration, insisting that such decisions were part of nation-building.

He said appointments into the Federal Executive Council and government boards remained the constitutional prerogative of the President.

“Our president is not governing strictly along party lines. There are non-partisan individuals serving in this administration, and wherever he chooses members of his team is entirely his prerogative. We will continue to support him,” Nwoye added.

He maintained that the committee’s assignment remained focused on achieving lasting peace within the Anambra APC ahead of future political contests.