ENUGU —The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), former state chairman Dr. Ben Nwoye has publicly declared that Ugochukwu Agballa is no longer the legitimate chairman of the party, citing a valid court order and internal party resolutions, declaring his continued leadership not only illegitimate but dangerously illegal.
“Ugochukwu Agballa has been removed! He remains removed! The court said so. The party constitution said so. Only lawlessness explains why anyone still calls him chairman.”
Speaking to Time Africa, Nwoye criticized what he described as an alarming disregard for the rule of law by Agballa and few hawks in the party. He maintained that Agballa was lawfully removed by the Enugu APC executive committee, in line with the party’s constitution, and that the removal was subsequently affirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Nwoye left no stone unturned and spoke bluntly as he accused Agballa — including a serving federal minister, likely referring to Uchenna Nnaji, the Federal Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology and a close ally of Agballa — of endorsing what he described as a ‘flagrant and sustained contempt of court.’
Holding aloft certified court documents, the former chairman thundered: “Ugochukwu Agballa was removed in accordance with the APC constitution, and that removal was affirmed by a court of competent jurisdiction which also restrained him from parading himself in any form as chairman.”
According to Nwoye, following Agballa’s removal, Dr. Alphonsus Okafor was duly elected as acting chairman of the Enugu State chapter, a process he said was in full compliance with the party’s constitutional provisions. He expressed concern that some party leaders, including members of the previous National Working Committee (NWC), have continued to recognize Agballa as chairman in defiance of the court’s ruling.
“The court order has not been stayed. It remains valid and binding. Yet the Ganduje-led NWC chose to disregard it. That kind of impunity has no place in a party that claims to stand for the rule of law,” Nwoye stated.
He further warned that decisions made by Agballa in his capacity as chairman while under court suspension could face legal challenges. According to him, any participation by Agballa in official party functions, including National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings, may be rendered null and void under the law.
“Every decision Agballa participated in while under court suspension is legally questionable. His votes in NEC meetings, including the one that elected the new national chairman, can be struck down in court,” he said.
Nwoye also accused some Southeast APC leaders of aiding what he described as Agballa’s illegal tenure. He singled out a serving federal minister and national officers of the party for attending meetings presided over by Agballa despite his removal by the court.
“Why is a Minister of the Federal Republic sitting in a meeting chaired by someone who has been legally removed? Why are the Deputy National Chairman (South) and the Vice National Chairman (Southeast) endorsing this illegality?” he asked.
The former chairman said the crisis in Enugu APC is a test of whether the party can uphold its constitution and respect judicial decisions. He stressed that the internal conflict is no longer a personal or regional issue but a broader challenge to the integrity of the party at the national level.
Nwoye welcomed the emergence of the new APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and expressed optimism that the new leadership would address the issue based on the rule of law. He confirmed that all relevant court documents and petitions have been submitted to Yilwatda’s office.
“We’ve presented everything to the new national chairman, and by God’s grace, he has given us assurance that the matter will be addressed based on the rule of law,” Nwoye said.
He emphasized that there is no ambiguity concerning Agballa’s removal and Okafor’s emergence as acting chairman, reiterating that continued recognition of Agballa undermines the party’s legal standing and threatens its prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This is no longer just about internal politics; it’s about whether APC is ready to respect its own constitution and the judiciary. Ugochukwu Agballa is no longer the chairman—period. It is time the party put an end to this charade,” Nwoye concluded.
He urged the national leadership to act swiftly to restore order and legitimacy in Enugu State, warning that the consequences of continued inaction could plunge the state chapter into deeper crisis and political irrelevance.