By our Reporter
The APC Anambra State Liberation Movement on Tuesday held a World Press Conference in Abuja to protest what it described as the continued exclusion of loyal party members from federal appointments.
The event, which took place at Barcelona Hotel on Blantyre Street, drew long-standing party stakeholders from across Anambra State. After the briefing, the group marched to the APC National Secretariat to submit a formal petition to the National Working Committee (NWC), urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene.
Reading the statement, the Convener of the group, Dr. Francis Chidozie Okoye, ANIPR, said APC members in Anambra had suffered “systematic neglect” despite their sacrifices, loyalty, and personal contributions to the development of the party.
He alleged that several appointments due to the APC were handed to members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) or individuals unknown to the party structure. The positions cited include the Ministerial slot, the Managing Director of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), and recent Ambassadorial nominations.
According to him, “This has created deep frustration and weakened morale among true party builders who have invested their time, resources and integrity in advancing the APC.”
The group also alleged that the November 8 Anambra governorship election was “openly manipulated against the APC,” claiming that federal appointees from the state worked against the party’s interest. They accused the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, and the Managing Director of SEDC, Mr. Mark Okoye, of openly supporting the APGA candidate.
They maintained that the APC would have won the election “had appointments meant for party members not been gifted to opposition elements.”
The movement further alleged that the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme (RHWDP) had been “hijacked by APGA elements,” resulting in the exclusion of APC members from benefiting from the federal initiative.
While highlighting the sacrifices of party loyalists, the group praised individuals such as Amb. Elijah Onyeagba, Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo, and Chief Mike Ejezie. They noted that these leaders contributed immensely to strengthening the party, yet were overlooked in recent political appointments.
As part of their recommendations, the stakeholders submitted a list of 15 APC leaders whom they described as “tested, loyal and deserving” of federal recognition. Those listed include Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo, MP Chukwuma Umeoji, Amb. Dr. Elijah Onyeagba, Dr. Kodilichukwu Okelekwe, Dr. Nkem Okeke, Sen. Dr. Uche Ekwunife, Dr. Obinna Uzoh, Chief Mike Ejezie, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Sen. Margery Okadigbo, Sir Azuka Okwuosa, Dr. Chidozie Nwankwo, Dr. Uche Obi and Dr. Uche Nworah.
They stressed that their demand was not targeted at any individual currently serving in government but was a call for justice and fairness within the party.
In their concluding remarks, the stakeholders reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda but warned that continued marginalization of party faithful could weaken the APC in Anambra, particularly at the grassroots.
The press statement was jointly signed by Dr. Francis Chidozie Okoye, Convener, and Comrade Innocent Nduanya, Co-Convener, alongside 23 APC LGA representatives and party leaders from across Anambra State.
The movement announced that coverage of their engagement will be broadcast on AIT, Channels TV, Arise TV, NTA, Global TV, and reported in Tribune and ThisDay Newspapers.
