By Ikeugonna Eleke and Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Anambra State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued its opposition of President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Amb. Bianca Ojukwu as minister.
Tinubu-led Government had on Wednesday announced the nomination of the widow of Biafra Warlord, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as minister designate for the Ministry of State for Foreign Affairs, but APC stakeholders in Anambra described it as anti-party, as, according to them, Bianca was known to be a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Chief Bunty Onuigbo, representing stakeholders in Anambra, had criticized the appointment, while Dr Josef Onoh, Bianca’s brother and former spokesperson of Tinubu’s Campaign Council, had condemned the Anambra APC for voicing their rejection of the nomination.
But internal crises seem to be brewing in the Anambra APC as more members have come out to voice their rejection of the nomination.
In a strongly-worded statement released to the media by the Zonal Publicity Secretary of Anambra Central APC and Coordinator of the Anambra APC Renewal Group (AARG), Igboeli Arinze Napoleon, he
criticized both the ministerial appointment and recent allegations made by Dr. Josef Onoh.
Condemning the nomination, Napoleon said: ‘While we acknowledge the President’s prerogative in ministerial appointments, we must express our concerns about the potential for discord within party ranks.
‘This controversy reflects deeper divisions within the party as it grapples with internal restructuring and positioning for future electoral contests.
‘AARG will soon call for a more inclusive approach to party appointments and the need for unity within the state chapter of our party.’
He also tackled Josef Onoh who accused Anambra APC of turning in an abysmal 5,000 votes for President Tinubu in 2023.
‘Dr. Josef Onoh’s allegations are infantile. We challenge Onoh’s credibility as a party spokesperson. There was no question of anti-party activities during the last presidential elections from Anambra. While some leaders had worked against party interests, the majority of Anambra APC members remained loyal to the party’s Presidential Candidate. There were similar challenges in other states, including Osun, Katsina, and Yobe.
‘The dispute has also brought to light, broader issues within the party’s state structure. Chief Basil Ejidike leads the only legitimate APC faction in Anambra, we have no divided leadership,’ Napoleon assured.
‘Onoh cited the party’s electoral performance in Anambra where APC received only 5,111 votes in the Presidential Election, but this still exceeded the neighboruing Enugu State’s tally of 4,772 votes.’
On whether the rejection was because Bianca was a woman, Napoleon said the Anambra State Chapter of the party had always supported women for positions, including Sharon Ikeazor and Senator Margery Okadigbo, insisting that the party had capable women within its fold, instead of bringing one from outside.
