PRESS CONFERENCE

Being the Text of a Press Conference Delivered by the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Edozie Njoku and the National Working Committee (NWC) of our great party on the 26th of September, 2024 at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Utako, Abuja.

Good day ladies and gentlemen of the Press, I welcome you all. 

1. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) National Working Committee (NWC) met on Wednesday 25th September 2024, in Abuja and after an extensive deliberation on crucial party matters aimed at repositioning APGA for the attainment of its political ideals, unanimously resolved as follows:

2. That henceforth, the Party has vowed to address various layers of infractions and indiscipline and also to invoke the disciplinary matrix of the party, in line with the relevant sections of the Owerri 2019 Constitution, against members who indulge in anti-party activities that undermine the peace, unity, stability, growth and electoral value of APGA across the country. APGA has a rich history of discipline upon which it was founded. That trend must be sustained at all cost. 

3. This is clearly spelt out in the Section 10 (Party Discipline/Offences) Subsection (d), (e) and (f) of the Owerri Constitution of 2019 (as amended) specifically states that;

i. ‘Any member of the party whose activities or conduct, which is likely to embarrass the Party or have adverse effect on the Party or bring incalculable harm to the Party or cause public ridicule or disrepute shall be suspended at the instance of the NWC for a period of six (6) months.’

ii. ‘Any party member that conducts or partakes in illegal primary, congress or convention shall be suspended at the instance of the NWC for a period of six (6) months.’ 

iii. Any member(s) who is under suspension cannot stand for an election. 

4. Particularly, yesterday (25th September 2024), some party members connived with Mr. P.I.N Ikwueto, SAN (who has benefitted immensely from the party as its external solicitor) and filed a suit in the name of APGA (as Plaintiff) at Federal High Court Abuja presided over by Justice James Omotosho, without the due authorization of the party as clearly spelt out in the party’s constitution; to procure an Interlocutory Order which they intend to submit to INEC so that they can withdraw the recognition of Chief Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of APGA.

5. In his infinite wisdom, Justice James Omotosho denied the application and insisted that Chief Edozie Njoku’s led counsel should harmonize and decide on who should be our legal representative and of course that authority to decide who would be our legal representative lies with the party.

6. Clearly, the party members involved in this have shown utmost disdain and disrespect to the Supreme Court Judgment and we have given them enough opportunity to retrace their steps and return to the fold. Unfortunately, what they wanted to achieve with this suit was to ensure my removal so that the illegal candidates they fielded as APGA candidates for the forthcoming Local Government elections in Anambra come September 28, 2024 can succeed. This is unacceptable.

7. The NWC, equally condemns in strongest terms the brazen disrespect of the judgements of Courts by Chief Victor Oye who is awaiting sentencing at the trial Court. We also commend the INEC Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mamood for his obedience and law-abiding nature, by taking steps to purge himself of the contempt charge on him, we intend to recommend to the Court that no punishment befall him, since he is doing the needful.

8. Consequently, the following members are hereby suspended - Barr, Sylvester Ezeonwuka, Mr. Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu and all those that participated in the illegal Anambra Local Government congresses and primaries, and emerged as purported candidates in Gov. Soludo’s list (as LG Chairmen and Deputies in all the 21 LGAs and the Councillorship Candidates in all the 326 Wards) of Anambra State as published by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) for the coming LG elections of September 28, 2024. 

9. A Disciplinary Committee has been set up to investigate the anti-party activities and acts of gross misconduct levelled against the affected members and make recommendations to the NWC.

10. Additionally, the NWC strongly condemns the actions of Governor Chukwuma Soludo and other National Assembly and State House of Assembly Members elected on APGA platform and those detractors being used to distract the party through Court actions/proceedings, and further advise them to take steps to redeem themselves from these anti-party activities or face appropriate disciplinary actions of the party.

11. The NWC wishes all the party’s candidates in the forthcoming LG elections in Anambra State a very successful outing.

12. We also thank and commend the Chairman and some members of the BoT who have been working tirelessly to ensure that peace reigns in APGA.    

13. Conclusively, NWC restates its confidence in the leadership of Chief Edozie Njoku as the National Chairman of APGA and urge all party members all over Nigeria and in the Diaspora that the Party is Supreme. We shall remain faithful and committed to a focused leadership and treat all men fairly, irrespective of social, economic or political status. 

A P G A! Be Your Brother’s Keeper. 

Thank you all.

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