JUST IN: APC Moves to Quell Anambra Crisis, Sets Up Reconciliation Panel, Warns Against Litigation
By OGB Joseph, Abuja
The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has launched a fresh effort to end the protracted leadership crisis in its Anambra State chapter by constituting a five-member fact-finding and reconciliation committee to restore peace and unity within the party.
Chairman of the committee and APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Benjamin Nwoye, announced the intervention at a press briefing in Abuja, urging aggrieved members to remain calm and refrain from actions capable of worsening the crisis, particularly resorting to litigation.
Nwoye said the National Working Committee (NWC) established the panel following the lingering leadership dispute that culminated in a court action seeking the removal of the elected state chairman, Senator Emma Anosike, and the recognition of a parallel leadership structure.
According to him, the committee has been tasked with investigating the circumstances that led to the crisis, engaging all stakeholders, reconciling opposing factions and recommending lasting solutions to strengthen the party ahead of future elections.
He explained that the immediate concern before the committee is the legal challenge against the Anosike-led executive, which sought to install an alternative leadership.
The crisis took a dramatic turn on Sunday when a faction led by Chief Ifeanyi Osegbo reportedly took over the APC state secretariat in Awka, relying on a court judgment obtained against the Anosike-led leadership.
Nwoye, however, assured party members that the APC national leadership had taken swift steps to prevent a breakdown of law and order and was closely monitoring developments.
He disclosed that the party’s legal team had already challenged the court ruling and expressed satisfaction that the enforcement of the judgment had been stayed pending the determination of further legal proceedings.
The committee, he said, would immediately begin consultations with stakeholders in both Abuja and Anambra as part of efforts to broker a peaceful settlement.
He also revealed that security agencies in Anambra State would be formally notified to safeguard party assets, including the state secretariat, and prevent any unlawful occupation or interference by rival groups.
Reminding members of the APC constitution, Nwoye stressed that aggrieved party faithful are required to exhaust all internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the courts.
He noted that part of the committee’s assignment would be to determine whether those involved in the current dispute complied with the party’s constitutional procedures before initiating legal action.
Expressing optimism about the reconciliation process, Nwoye said the committee was confident its intervention would restore stability to the Anambra chapter and reposition the APC for stronger political outings in the state.
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