APGA leadership change: Party writes INEC, ISIEC, others ahead of Imo LG polls

Ahead of the Imo State Local Council Polls scheduled to take place on September 21 in the 27 local councils of the state, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has written to the State office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC), informing them of a change in the party’s leadership in the state.

The change, according to the party, became inevitable following the recent Supreme Court judgment which declared Edozie Njoku as the rightful National Chairman of the party.

The change also aims to avoid any obstruction as the party prepares to participate in the forthcoming LGA elections in the State.

The party made its position known in a press conference held by its National Delegate led by the National Secretary, Muhyideen Imam, in Owerri, the State Capital.

The National Secretary informed that the essence of their visit to the State was to notify relevant authorities, agencies and members of the public that INEC has recognized Chief Edozie Njoku as the genuine National Chairman of the party, as established by the Commission’s website.

Imam asserted that, following the change in the party’s leadership at the national level, the same has been effected at the State level. He maintained that the 10-man Caretaker Committee headed by Chief Vincent Amadi is the recognized Executive Committee of the party in the State.

The secretary advised party faithful, especially those aspiring to contest the September 21 LG elections, to disregard Bar. John Iwuala’s led State Exco and embrace Chief Vincent Amadi’s leadership to avoid being defrauded.

He further enjoined aspirants who had already obtained the party’s nomination and expression of interest forms from the outgoing Executive of Iwuala to rush to the party’s new State secretariat at No. 144 Wetheral Road, Owerri, for regularization and revalidation of their forms to prevent any form of nullification or disqualification.

Other members of the new Caretaker Committee of the party include Kingsley Osigwe, Henry Opara, Henry Eweama, Philip Onye, Basil Eneremadu, and Henry Oparaocha.

In his remarks, the party’s National Vice Chairman, South East, Hon. Tony Uchechukwudi Ezekwelu, stated that the party would accommodate all members to ensure a successful outing in the LG elections and other elections across the nation.

Following the recent change in its leadership, the party has also written to the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), and the Imo State Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), urging them to recognize only Edozie Njoku as approved by the party’s national leadership.