Defection: Anambra APC moves against Oduah, sacks loyalist


Tony Okafor,Awka

The Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may have begun a tacit war with a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, for dumping the party for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)

Oduah had prelude to the November 6, 2021 governorship poll in Anambra State joined the APC to work for the APC's candidate in the election, Senator Andy Uba, but in a dramatic turn, she went back to PDP to prosecute her return to the senate in 2023 shortly.

The drama, sources say is causing disaffection amongst party members in the state, especially amongst her perceived loyalists.

On Sunday, one of her loyalists, Innocent Nwanwa, addressed a press conference in Awka, the Anambra State capital, stating that he had been sacked from the position of the state youth leadership of the party he won during the party's Congress in January by the state chairman of the party, Chief Basil Ejidike.

As a consequence, he has petitioned the national leadership of the party to redress what he called grave injustice against him, stating that it was wrong to punish him simply because his principal ( Oduah) defected to another party.
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His petition read in part, "It is on record that APC Anambra State Chapter on 30th January, 2022 held her state congress, where members of the current State Executive Committee, including the State chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike were elected.

I, Hon Innocent Nwanta, was elected the State APC Youth Leader, and were subsequently inaugurated at the Party Secretariat, Amenyi Awka. The summary of the result sheet of the state congress is hereby attached for your kind perusal sir.
It is however true that I joined the APC with Senator Stella Adaeze Oduah upon her declaration on Thursday, 26th August, 2021, but have since remained steadfast and committed with the party, attending Party functions and activities not minding the fact the Senator left the party.

"It is rather surprising, embarrassing and most unfortunate for the same beneficiary of the state congress, the Honourable State Chairman of the Party, Chief Basil Ejidike, to continue to boast and intimidate me with threat of removal.

"He, however, has stopped inviting me to State Executive meetings and sundry party functions, and have unjustly taken steps, and have indeed removed and replaced me with one of his errand boys, one Mr Jideofor Ejimofor.

"For record purposes, your Excellency, I am a bonafide APC member (attached herewith is my party membership card), with number An/Ogb/16/57524. I am an indigene of Ogbaru, and a voter in Iyiowa/Odekpe/Ohita ward.

"Your Excellency, kindly use your good office to correct this obvious injustice and illegality, to enable the party move into the upcoming 2023 general elections as one united family."


Several calls put across to the state chairman, Basil Ejidike, for his reaction rang out. He is yet to reply a text message sent to him in that regard as of the time of filing this report.

Source

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