TheCable

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo state have asked aggrieved members of the party to withdraw suits they have filed at different courts.

The party in the state has been divided following the emergence of Hope Uzodinma as governor.

In the build-up to the 2019 elections, Rochas Okorocha, former Imo governor, wanted Uche Nwosu, his son-in-law, to clinch the party’s governorship ticket but Uzodinma’s name was sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the governorship candidate by the national working committee (NWC) led by Adams Oshiomhole.

Uzodinma had lost the gubernatorial election in March 2019 but the supreme court later declared him as duly elected governor of Imo after he challenged the victory of Emeka Ihedioha, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Eze Madumere, immediate past deputy governor of Imo, asked all those who have returned to the APC “to queue behind the leadership of the party.”

“We urge our brothers and sisters who recently returned to the party after seeking electoral fortunes on other party platforms to queue behind the leadership of the party. We urge such persons to re-register at their various wards as the party has enough room to admit them,” Madumere who was deputy governor to Okorocha and leader of the stakeholders said.

“We also encourage all members of the party to discontinue all legal suits as resolved by the last NEC meeting as supported by President Muhammadu Buhari. We will support the leadership of the party in all disciplinary measures they may decide to take against any breach of our party rules and regulations.

“We the stakeholders of the party, as party faithfuls, shall continue to support the APC-led government of Gov. Hope Uzodinma, the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led National Caretaker Committee and we will continue to support the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.”

The former deputy governor said they have also passed a vote of confidence on Uzodinma.

“Today, we are here to pass a vote of absolute confidence on governor Hope Uzodinma, the governor of Imo state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the leader of the party in the state and the only APC governor in the south-east and the south-south,” he said.

“We are satisfied with the developmental agenda of the Governor represented in his 3Rs Agenda (Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery).

“We equally pass a vote of confidence on the Hon. Minister of state for education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba and director-general of NEPAD, Princess Gloria Akobundu, for their sterling performance so far.

“We also recognize the leadership of Prince M. O Nlemigbo-led APC caretaker committee which was constituted after the dissolution of the Imo State APC party executive committee, local Government and ward executives committee by the National Working Committee (NWC) on the 18th of December, 2018 which is further supported by the recent court ruling with Suit No: FCT/HC/BW/CV/103/2018 and Motion No: FCT/HC/M/3025/2019, delivered on the 16th of July 2020.”

Madumere urged all factions of the party in the state to recognise Uzodinma as their leader.

Other members of the group are; Osita Izunaso, former APC national organising secretary; Mirian Onuoha, a member of the house of representatives; and Marcus Nlemigbo, Imo APC caretaker chairman; among others.