ABUJA — Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally dissolved its Enugu State Executive Committee, replacing it with a caretaker panel in a strategic move widely interpreted as preparation for the anticipated defection of Governor Peter Mbah from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The announcement, made on Thursday by APC’s National Working Committee, signals the party’s intensifying efforts to consolidate its foothold in the South-East amid shifting political allegiances.
The decision was made at the party’s 179th meeting in Abuja.
According to a statement issued at the end of the meeting by Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Durosinmi Meseko, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, led by National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, approved the dissolution of the state executive committee with immediate effect.
In place, the NWC constituted a seven-member caretaker committee, chaired by Dr. Ben Nwoye, former state chairman, to oversee the party’s affairs in the state.
The statement is titled: “Resolutions Of The 179th Meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held at the party’s National Secretariat, Abuja, on Thursday, 9th October, 2025.”
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held its 179th meeting at the Party’s National Secretariat, Abuja, on Thursday, 9th October, 2025, presided over by the National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda,” it read.
“At the conclusion of the meeting, the following resolutions were reached: Dissolution of Enugu State Executive Committee and Appointment of Caretaker Committee
“The NWC approved the dissolution of the APC Enugu State Executive Committee with immediate effect, following a comprehensive review of the state of the Party in Enugu State.
“Consequently, a seven-member Caretaker Committee has been constituted to oversee the affairs of the Party in the State.”
The new caretaker committee members include: Dr. Ben Nwoye – Chairman; H.E. Mrs. Fidelia Njoeze – Member; Comrade Peter Chime – Member; Dr. (Mrs.) Oby Ajih – Member; Dr. Chiedozie Nwafor – Member; Engr. Emma Ekeh – Member and Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh – Secretary.
The dissolution comes barely two days after Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, resigned over alleged certificate forgery. Nnaji is an ally of the former APC chairman in Enugu State, Barr Ugo Agballah, who opposed Mbah’s defection to the party.
Meanwhile, the committee will be inaugurated on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
The NWC also made several other key decisions, including clearing two aspirants to contest the party’s primary election for the Ekiti State governorship position: Governor Biodun Oyebanji and Mrs. Atinuke Oluremi Omolayo.
Two other aspirants, Engr. Ojo Kayode and Mrs. Abimbola Olajumoke Olawumi were disqualified.
Additionally, the APC National Reconciliation Committee, chaired by H.E. Chief Bisi Akande, will be inaugurated soon.
The party also announced that the timetable for its congresses across the country will be released soon, and the APC Constitution Amendment Committee will commence public hearings in October 2025.