NWC reads riot acts to Anambra stakeholders over lingering crisis

By Jude Opara

The National leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has threatened to sanction erring members of the party in the Anambra state chapter should they continue to fight over the leadership of the party in the state.

National Deputy Chairman (South), Dr. Benjamin Nwoye issued the warning on Thursday during the meeting of the stakeholders aimed at resolving the leadership crisis in the state chapter.

Nwoye who is also the Chairman of the Fact-finding and Reconciliation Committee set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) told the stakeholders that the party is poised to ensure that every chapter of the party is in harmony ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

He said while the party would continue to be fair to all members, it will not hesitate to wield the big stick to rein in those who may not want peace to reign.

“The national leadership of our great party will not hesitate to wield the big stick, going forward, against any recalcitrant member who persists in conduct capable of undermining party unity, frustrating lawful party decisions, or serving as an agent of opposition interests in Anambra State.

“Peace requires open arms for sincere members, but it also requires firm consequences for those who deliberately sabotage the collective mission of the APC. The eyes of our members are upon us. The eyes of Anambra voters are upon us. The eyes of our national leadership are upon us. Posterity will ask whether, at this turning point, we chose anger or wisdom, division or unity, litigation or dialogue, factional pride or party victory.

“We shall discharge that mandate with fairness, courage and respect for all sides. I urge every stakeholder here to give peace a chance. Let us withdraw from the path of bitterness. Let us embrace dialogue. Let us forgive. Let us build trust again. Let us change the story of Anambra APC from crisis to cohesion, from factional rivalry to electoral readiness, from missed opportunities to historic victory.

“Unity is not the absence of differences; it is the wisdom to bind our differences to one common purpose. If we stand together, we can win together. If we work together, we can deliver together. If we reconcile today, we can celebrate tomorrow”.

Nwoye explained that the party in setting up the committee was doing so in its capacity as the parent body, adding that the mandate is to engage all relevant stakeholders, reconcile aggrieved members, and recommend measures that will deliver a peaceful, credible and lasting resolution.

He said the bone of contention in the chapter include; Alleged removal of elected party officials at different levels; Alleged removal of names of those who won primary elections and replacement of same with those who never participated in or won the election; Taking the party to court without due process and without exhausting the internal party dispute and grievance resolution mechanisms; and
Expulsion of party leaders and members without fair hearing.

The Chairman further reminded the delegation that when fail to resolve matters, they create fertile ground for factions, rumours, suspicion and avoidable hostility, as well as opening the doors for the opposition to thrive.

“The purpose of party politics is to organise citizens around ideas, candidates and governance programmes in order to win elections and deliver public service. Party politics is not a theatre for permanent quarrel. It is not an arena for ego, bitterness or self-destruction.

“We join political parties not to prove who can fight longest, but to prove who can serve best. United we stand; divided we surrender advantage to others. Every hour spent in internal hostility is an hour lost in voter engagement. Every resource spent on factional contest is a resource diverted from mobilisation. Every press statement attacking a fellow party member becomes campaign material for opponents. Every court process filed in anger weakens the morale of genuine supporters who are waiting for direction”.

The Fact -finding and Reconciliation Committee has two weeks to conclude it investigation and submit its report to the NWC.