APC National Leadership Intervenes to Settle Anambra Factional Disputes for 2027

The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) convened a crucial stakeholders' meeting on Tuesday to address the protracted internal crisis plaguing its Anambra State chapter. Held at the Chiben Leisure Resort and Hotel in Awka, the gathering saw the party issue a stern caution to rival factions, urging them to cease all activities that could further deepen divisions within the party. This move represents a significant effort to resolve months of infighting, which has been attributed to contentious party structures, disputed candidate substitutions, ongoing court cases, and claims of irregular expulsions of members. These issues are seen as major threats to the party's electoral prospects leading up to the 2027 general elections.

The peace and reconciliation meeting, spearheaded by the party's National Reconciliation Committee under the leadership of Dr. Benjamin Nwoye, the Deputy National Chairman (South), brought together APC state leaders, stakeholders, ward executives, as well as youth and women leaders. During his address, Dr. Nwoye emphasized that the period of unending factional disputes must end, giving way to genuine reconciliation. He warned that a fragmented APC would struggle to secure victory for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027 or to win future elections within Anambra State.

Nwoye stated that the Awka meeting signified “a crucial transition from dialogue to implementation” following an earlier reconciliation session for stakeholders held in Abuja on July 23. He explained that the purpose of the Awka engagement was to translate the reconciliation initiative from the national leadership in Abuja into tangible peace across the grassroots structures of the APC in Anambra. While acknowledging that the Abuja meeting successfully opened lines of communication among previously estranged party leaders, Nwoye stressed that the ultimate success of the peace process hinges on its acceptance by ward executives, local government officials, youth and women leaders, and polling unit officers, who serve as the party's closest link to the electorate. He added, “We are not gathered to reopen old wounds but to deepen the peace that began in Abuja. Politics is local, and any peace that does not reach the grassroots is incomplete.” He further described grassroots members as the backbone of the APC, asserting that elections are won at the community level – in markets, churches, villages, and polling units – thus making unity at these levels absolutely essential.

Providing an update on the committee's findings, Nwoye revealed that extensive consultations with various factional stakeholders had pinpointed the primary issues fueling the prolonged crisis in the state chapter. He specifically mentioned allegations concerning the removal of duly elected party officials, the replacement of candidates who had reportedly won party primaries, recourse to litigation without exhausting the APC’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms, and the expulsion of party leaders and members without a fair hearing as key contributors to the state-level crisis.

Nwoye issued a stern caution against any attempts to sabotage the reconciliation efforts, making it clear that the National Working Committee (NWC) would not tolerate actions that exacerbate internal divisions. He declared, “We are not here to massage anybody’s ego. As this process continues, I don’t want to know the faction you belong to. Anyone who chooses to behave like a thug will be treated accordingly.” He urged leaders to opt for consultation over intimidation and encouraged aggrieved members to utilize the party’s internal channels for grievance resolution instead of engaging in prolonged court battles. Nwoye underscored that “Peace should never be mistaken for weakness but recognised as the strategic strength required to rebuild the APC ahead of future elections. Peace is a strategic strength. A united party can register voters, mobilise polling units, prepare credible candidates and compete seriously. A divided party cannot.”

He implored stakeholders to move past grievances and focus on re-establishing functional ward structures, forming disciplined campaign teams, and creating inclusive communication channels to effectively reposition the APC throughout Anambra State. The Deputy National Chairman also reiterated the NWC’s dedication to achieving an all-inclusive peace settlement, assuring stakeholders that all submissions made during the consultations would be forwarded to the party’s national leadership for a final decision. “The outcome must be seen as a joint decision involving everyone,” he affirmed, urging members to accept the committee’s eventual recommendations for the sake of enduring peace.

Senator Emma Anosike, the Anambra State APC Chairman, also addressed the gathering, pledging the state chapter's unwavering commitment to President Tinubu's re-election project. He promised to initiate new consultations aimed at bringing all disaffected members back into the fold, stating, “We will go back to the drawing board, make the necessary adjustments and bring everybody on board.” Chief Basil Ejidike, a former state chairman, appealed for genuine reconciliation, cautioning that neither of the warring factions possessed the independent strength to secure electoral victories. Abdulkareem Abubakar Kama (SAN), the party’s Deputy National Secretary, assured stakeholders of the APC's commitment to ensuring the South-East feels a stronger sense of belonging within the party. Dr. Mary Idele, the National Woman Leader, emphasized the urgency of the reconciliation mission, highlighting that elections were fast approaching and the party could no longer afford internal divisions. Idele reminded members that “a house divided against itself cannot stand,” urging them to respect party supremacy and prioritize collective interests over personal ambitions. The peace parley offered members from both factions a platform to express their views, with the committee assuring that all contributions would be included in its report to the APC’s national leadership in Abuja for appropriate action.