Aggrieved APC leaders declare support for PDP gubernatorial candidate in Enugu
Some aggrieved leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State have endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state candidate, Peter Mbah, in the 2023 general election.
APC leaders, led by former Speaker of the Nigerian Senate, Ken Nnamani, made the announcement on Friday during the Enugu Eastern District rally for the PDP candidate at Okpara Square, Enugu.
Represented by a former APC president in the state, Ben Nwoye, Mr Nnamani explained that the decision to endorse Mr Mbah was born out of their belief in the leadership qualities of the PDP candidate.< /p>
“The leadership of the people of Enugu State should not be party based. The Head of State of Enugu will be elected by the citizens of Enugu. The people of Nkanu have had their consensus to choose you (Mbah). I am a member of APC but me and I will vote for you," he said.
Mr. Nnamani said the group made the decision at their leadership meeting in the state recently.
Mr. Nwoye, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, said they would continue their support for APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu but "will turn everything to Mbah after supporting our presidential candidate during the February 25 elections.
Former APC State Chairman praised Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for fulfilling his promise to choose the party's gubernatorial candidate in Eastern District of Enugu , in accordance with the existing zoning arrangement in the State.
Responding, Mr Ugwuanyi said he was delighted that the APC and other parties in the state honored the zoning arrangement by electing their candidates for the governorship of Enugu East district, which underlined the correctness of the PDP's decision.
“It is also encouraging that virtually all of the other candidates in this PDP primary election have long since closed ranks with the winner, Peter Mbah, to secure the party’s victory in the general election and I salute their sportsmanship,” Mr. Ugwuanyi says.
"It is significant that today's endorsement of Peter Mbah for the March 11, 2023 gubernatorial election transcends partisan boundaries. I salute the brave people of the Enugu East Senatorial District for keeping the eyes on the ball,” the governor added.
He described the PDP candidate as "a phenomenal young man with unparalleled talent and ability for outstanding performance".
BackgroundThe APC in the state has recently been embroiled in a leadership crisis, resulting in the party splitting into two factions.
The faction, led by Mr Nnamani, had accused APC state chairman Ugochukwu Agballah and the party's gubernatorial candidate Uche Nnaji of running the party as their 'personal businesses' .
Earlier this month, aggrieved APC leaders in the state under the umbrella of “APC Concerned Enugu State” besieged the APC National Secretariat in Abuja to demand payment of convention indemnities to the tune of $1.5 million by the party leadership in the state.
The demonstrators accused MM. Agballah and Nnaji for embezzling convention funds.
Two weeks ago, party leaders boycotted a presidential campaign rally in Enugu.
Although the leaders traveled to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Emene, Enugu, to welcome APC candidate Mr Tinubu, they did not show up at the campaign ground.
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Some aggrieved leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State have endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state candidate, Peter Mbah, in the 2023 general election.
APC leaders, led by former Speaker of the Nigerian Senate, Ken Nnamani, made the announcement on Friday during the Enugu Eastern District rally for the PDP candidate at Okpara Square, Enugu.
Represented by a former APC president in the state, Ben Nwoye, Mr Nnamani explained that the decision to endorse Mr Mbah was born out of their belief in the leadership qualities of the PDP candidate.< /p>
“The leadership of the people of Enugu State should not be party based. The Head of State of Enugu will be elected by the citizens of Enugu. The people of Nkanu have had their consensus to choose you (Mbah). I am a member of APC but me and I will vote for you," he said.
Mr. Nnamani said the group made the decision at their leadership meeting in the state recently.
Mr. Nwoye, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, said they would continue their support for APC presidential candidate Bola Tinubu but "will turn everything to Mbah after supporting our presidential candidate during the February 25 elections.
Former APC State Chairman praised Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for fulfilling his promise to choose the party's gubernatorial candidate in Eastern District of Enugu , in accordance with the existing zoning arrangement in the State.
Responding, Mr Ugwuanyi said he was delighted that the APC and other parties in the state honored the zoning arrangement by electing their candidates for the governorship of Enugu East district, which underlined the correctness of the PDP's decision.
“It is also encouraging that virtually all of the other candidates in this PDP primary election have long since closed ranks with the winner, Peter Mbah, to secure the party’s victory in the general election and I salute their sportsmanship,” Mr. Ugwuanyi says.
"It is significant that today's endorsement of Peter Mbah for the March 11, 2023 gubernatorial election transcends partisan boundaries. I salute the brave people of the Enugu East Senatorial District for keeping the eyes on the ball,” the governor added.
He described the PDP candidate as "a phenomenal young man with unparalleled talent and ability for outstanding performance".
BackgroundThe APC in the state has recently been embroiled in a leadership crisis, resulting in the party splitting into two factions.
The faction, led by Mr Nnamani, had accused APC state chairman Ugochukwu Agballah and the party's gubernatorial candidate Uche Nnaji of running the party as their 'personal businesses' .
Earlier this month, aggrieved APC leaders in the state under the umbrella of “APC Concerned Enugu State” besieged the APC National Secretariat in Abuja to demand payment of convention indemnities to the tune of $1.5 million by the party leadership in the state.
The demonstrators accused MM. Agballah and Nnaji for embezzling convention funds.
Two weeks ago, party leaders boycotted a presidential campaign rally in Enugu.
Although the leaders traveled to Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Emene, Enugu, to welcome APC candidate Mr Tinubu, they did not show up at the campaign ground.
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