By Daniel Edu
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently embroiled in a crisis as internal disagreements intensify over the selection of a candidate to assume the role of National Welfare Officer within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Tensions have escalated within the state chapter as rival factions have nominated two individuals for the position, which has been designated to the state.
This vacancy arose following the passing of Friday Nwosu in March, leaving the position of National Welfare Secretary unoccupied.
Reports indicate that on March 28, 2023, the State Executive Committee nominated Rev. Dan Imo. Nevertheless, some influential figures within the state have opposed this choice, primarily due to Imo’s limited two-year tenure as a member of the party.
A senior party official expressed that the state executives’ actions contravened established regulations concerning such appointments.
As outlined in Article 31.5 of the APC Constitution under “Vacancy,” the process of filling the position is stipulated: “In the event of a vacancy, the office shall be filled as follows: ‘In the case of a National/Zonal Officer, the State Executive Committee shall propose a replacement to the State Congress and Zonal Executive Committee for endorsement. Thereafter, the name shall be sent to the National Working Committee, which shall forward the same to the National Executive Committee for approval.'”
It has also come to light that the Abia executive neglected to arrange a state Congress and sidestepped involving the zonal executive committee. Instead, they directly submitted the nominee’s name to the NWC.
A concerned party leader from Abia questioned, “Given the circumstances, assuming they even possess the authority, which of the two nominees would the NEC ultimately validate?”
He continued, “The Constitution does not make provisions for proposing a replacement without convening a congress. According to Article 31.5, the state executive committee should offer a proposal to the state congress, which then presents it to the Zonal Executive Committee for endorsement. This process must occur prior to submitting any name to the National Working Committee. Subsequently, the National Working Committee forwards it to the National Executive Committee for final approval.”
