All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Anambra State have expressed strong disapproval of President Bola Tinubu’s recent appointment of Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu as a minister-designate, calling the decision a “betrayal of party principles.” The leaders voiced concerns over the potential ramifications for party unity in the region during an emergency meeting held in Awka on Thursday.
High Chief Bunty Onuigbo, the South East Zonal Secretary of the APC and a member of the APC Elders Forum in Anambra, spoke on behalf of the concerned stakeholders, emphasizing that the appointment undermines party cohesion by favoring individuals linked to rival political factions.
“This is nothing but an act of anti-party, and it is detrimental,” Onuigbo asserted. “By empowering members of other political parties at the expense of the APC in Anambra State, Mr. President is not supporting party loyalty.”
The leaders questioned the implications of Ojukwu’s appointment, with Onuigbo raising concerns about whether the President is inadvertently encouraging a mass defection of APC members to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). “Is he subtly supporting APGA’s interests in Anambra State?” he asked.
Onuigbo described the situation as “unprecedented and deeply discouraging,” expressing frustration that the national leadership appears to be bolstering opposition parties at the expense of the APC. He accused APGA of monopolizing government benefits and empowerment programs, claiming they cater exclusively to their members while taking undue credit for initiatives meant to involve all political stakeholders.
“This is a party that openly rejects the APC and wants no affiliation with us. Yet, Mr. President is empowering them with these appointments,” he stated.
In response to these developments, Onuigbo announced that APC stakeholders would formally present their grievances to the state chairman of the party, Chief Basil Ejidike, for further escalation to the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC).
