A foundation member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Osita Okechukwu, has publicly welcomed Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to join the ruling party. The invitation, issued in a statement on monday, directly contradicts the stance of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, who had reportedly opposed the idea at a meeting on sunday.
The public disagreement highlights a growing internal rift within the Enugu State APC over the potential defection of the sitting governor. Okechukwu, a former director general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), argued that admitting a governor is a strategic move that would strengthen the party’s presence in the south-east geopolitical zone.
This internal conflict comes amid a broader national realignment, where the APC is seeking to expand its influence. while Okechukwu champions the idea of a prominent defector, minister nnaji and his faction have reportedly expressed concern that such a move would undermine the efforts of existing party members in the state. governor mbah has yet to issue a public statement on the matter.
Okechukwu quoted Nnaji as saying: “Anybody who wants to run for the governorship of Enugu State, let him come to the APC, we will go to contest, we are waiting for them.”
According to him, we the foundation members of APC wish to state unequivocally that His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, and his group are wholeheartedly welcomed to APC Enugu State in accordance with the standard convention of our great party.
“Gov. Mbah and his group should not be scared by anybody,” he said.
Okechukwu said that APC members are at a loss “why Nnaji, who himself is from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is chasing away the exceptionally performing Gov. Mbah”.
“For we, the foundation members, Gov. Mbah should disregard our dear brother Chief Nnaji, because we want to win Lion Building for the first time and join 23 other states to guarantee President Bola Tinubu’s victory in 2027,” he said.
He advised Nnaji to pay more attention to his ministry.
“Otherwise, we will not allow Chief Nnaji who came distant fourth with 14,575 votes in the gubernatorial election and fouled atmosphere for President Tinubu with 4,722 in the 2023 presidential election to rubbish APC again.” Okechukwu said.
