Anambra State Government Seals APGA Faction Office Amid Party Crisis

The Anambra State government has taken decisive action by sealing the state party secretariat of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) faction led by Edozie Njoku.

This move comes against the backdrop of an ongoing internal crisis within the party, which Governor Chukwuma Soludo has characterised as a minor family misunderstanding that will soon be resolved.

Governor Soludo, while addressing journalists, sought to downplay the extent of the crisis within APGA, assuring the public that it was a temporary issue typical of the period leading up to elections. “Anambra people have come to the conclusion that APGA is the party for the state,” Soludo remarked.

He attributed the state’s stability and progress to the party’s leadership, emphasising that APGA had brought an end to the years of turmoil and unrest that once plagued Anambra.

According to Soludo, APGA has become synonymous with development in Anambra, enjoying widespread support from the people.

He expressed confidence that the internal disputes within the party were being exaggerated by media reports, stressing that the party was, in fact, stronger than ever under his leadership.

“This is just a family problem that will be sorted out soon, and sooner than later, everyone will come into the same big tent. I don’t see any division in APGA,” Soludo added.

Despite Soludo’s optimistic outlook, the internal rift within APGA remains palpable, particularly with the Njoku faction of the party, which has been at the centre of the controversy.

The faction has been engaged in a protracted struggle for recognition, with claims of being the legitimate leadership of the party.

This dispute, currently entangled in legal battles, has further complicated the political landscape in Anambra.

The sealing of the party secretariat, located in a residential area, has sparked further tensions.

Rony Uche Ezekwelu, the Deputy National Chairman for the South-East region and a representative of the Njoku faction, expressed his dismay over the government’s action.

Speaking to journalists, Ezekwelu described the sealing of the office as an act of intimidation and political suppression.

“We came here this morning, and people were going about their normal duties, including purchasing expression of interest forms for the forthcoming local government elections, when around 10 am, a team from the Anambra Housing Development Corporation came and sealed off our office,” Ezekwelu explained.

He noted that the officials claimed the office was being used in violation of its original purpose as a residential property.

Ezekwelu, who had been in Anambra on official duties, expressed surprise at the sudden enforcement action, especially given that no prior eviction notice had been served.

“This place has always been used for party business, and we are just the recent occupants.

Many politicians have used this place before us, and we are not the owners of this property. We have reached out to the owner, and we view this as an act of intimidation and suppression.

This is impunity,” he asserted.

He maintained that the Njoku faction remained the most authentic representation of APGA, dismissing other factions as sore losers. Ezekwelu’s comments suggest that the faction is prepared to continue its fight for legitimacy and is unwilling to back down despite the challenges posed by the state government’s actions.

The ongoing crisis within APGA has raised concerns among party members and the wider public, particularly as the state prepares for upcoming elections.

While Governor Soludo has expressed confidence that the crisis will be resolved, the sealing of the Njoku faction’s secretariat highlights the deep divisions that still exist within the party.

As the legal battles continue, the situation within APGA remains fluid, with both sides digging in their heels.

The Njoku faction’s insistence on its legitimacy and the state government’s intervention have added layers of complexity to the conflict.

The outcome of this power struggle will likely have significant implications for the party’s future in Anambra and its ability to maintain its stronghold in the state.

In the meantime, APGA members and Anambra residents alike are watching closely, hoping for a resolution that will bring stability to the party and allow it to continue its role in the state’s development.

The crisis within APGA is not just a test of party unity but also a reflection of the broader challenges facing political parties in Nigeria, where internal democracy and leadership disputes often lead to fragmentation and weakened institutions.