Abuja, NIGERIA — The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is preparing to impose sanctions on Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, in response to his alleged defiance of the party’s leadership and its established legal rulings.
The party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Chief Dr. Chekwas Okorie, made the announcement on Wednesday, underscoring a deepening rift within the party.
The discord stems from Soludo’s refusal to recognize Chief Edozie Njoku as the legitimate National Chairman of APGA. This stance persists despite definitive judgments from the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal affirming Njoku’s position. Okorie criticized Soludo’s actions, describing them as a persistent undermining of APGA’s core interests and values.
In a statement to journalists in Abuja, Okorie revealed that the party had made numerous attempts to reconcile with Soludo. Efforts included appeals from prominent clergymen, traditional rulers, and influential figures within Anambra State, all urging the governor to cease his disruptive behavior. However, Okorie alleged that Soludo remained obstinate, refusing to heed these entreaties.
“The party has extended the olive branch repeatedly, but Governor Soludo has remained recalcitrant,” Okorie stated. “Despite various appeals from respected clergymen and traditional leaders, Soludo’s actions have consistently jeopardized the survival and integrity of the party that once provided him with the opportunity to achieve his long-held ambition of becoming governor.”
Okorie further asserted that Soludo’s conduct is a direct threat to the party’s unity and future. “It has become abundantly clear that Governor Soludo is determined to sacrifice APGA rather than acknowledge Chief Edozie Njoku as the party’s National Chairman,” Okorie said.
He urged the National Working Committee (NWC) of APGA to promptly activate the party’s disciplinary procedures against those engaged in activities deemed detrimental to the party’s cohesion.
The BoT Chairman emphasized the importance of upholding the party’s legal and democratic processes. “The sanctity of party supremacy must be preserved,” Okorie asserted. “The political landscape is ever-evolving, but APGA’s enduring principles and structures must be safeguarded against any threats from within.”
As the party moves forward, the internal conflict and broader challenges facing APGA as it seeks to maintain unity and discipline in its ranks. The outcome of this dispute may have significant implications for the party’s political future and its standing within Nigeria’s complex political arena.
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