The move to weed out moles within the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued with the suspension of former Senator Chukwuka Utazi over alleged anti-party activities.
Utazi’s suspension comes about a year after he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
The two-term senator (2015–2023), who represented Enugu North Senatorial District under the PDP, joined the APC in March 2024, citing his desire to align with politics at the centre and leverage the party platform to advance the cause of Igbo presidency.
However, on Friday, the APC in his Nkpologu Ward and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state announced his suspension.
In a notification letter addressed to the State Chairman of APC, Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah, and jointly signed by the APC Uzo-Uwani LGA Chairman, Chief Chris Ajodo; Secretary, Pius Diara; and Nkpologu Ward Chairman, Albert Aniebonam, the party stated that Utazi’s suspension followed a petition from the ward citing anti-party conduct.
According to the letter, Utazi was accused of participating in PDP and Enugu North Zonal Chapter meetings, as well as endorsing Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who is seeking re-election.
He was also accused of granting interviews, openly blackmailing, and de-marketing the Enugu State chapter of the APC, among other infractions.
The party officials said a three-member disciplinary committee was constituted on April 8 to investigate the allegations. Utazi was reportedly notified of the petition and invited to appear before the committee but allegedly ignored the summons.
“Despite the respondent’s failure to appear, the committee conducted a thorough investigation and found him guilty of the allegations,” the letter read.
“The committee found Senator Utazi’s conduct highly disappointing, repugnant, and unbecoming of a bona fide member of the APC, and therefore recommended his indefinite suspension from the party.”
Following the committee’s report, the local government executives unanimously endorsed the recommendation, and Utazi was suspended from the party on April 12.
