An indigene of Anambra State, Mr Edwin Chukwujekwu was on Friday elected as the Assistant Secretary of APC, Bolari East Ward in Gombe LGA of Gombe State.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Chukwujekwu, alongside other ward executive members, emerged through party consensus.
Reacting to his emergence in an interview with newsmen, he said that his election “reflected APC’s democratic maturity, especially in promoting national unity.”
He described his election as an inspiration to non-indigenes in the state, pointing out that the party showed its respect for inclusiveness “and does not discriminate against its members.”
“I feel happy being among the party leaders at the grassroots.
“My election reflects the nationality of the party, and I advise my other Igbo kinsmen and women to try to play along with the party.
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“We are not excluded in the party. We are fully accommodated.
“With my election, it means we are included and not excluded in any form at all.
“I have been here for the past four years and now elected to the ward executive of the party,” Chukwujekwu said.
He also advised other non-indigenes in the state to participate in party politics, pointing out that Gombe State APC “has shown that it is open to all Nigerians.”
Chukwujekwu commended the Governor, Inuwa Yahaya, for his inclusive governance, which resulted in the choice of an Igbo man as his Special Assistant on Inter-Community Affairs.
NAN reports that the list of the ward executives that emerged from the 10 wards in Gombe LGA was presented to the Chairman of the Ward and Local Government Congress Committee for the state, Dr Danjuma Dabo.
Announcing the names of the officials at the Gombe Local Government Secretariat, Dabo said that “election through consensus is part of the APC Constitution.”
He expressed satisfaction with the peace and understanding that characterised the entire exercise.
He urged party stakeholders in the state to remain steadfast and maintain the unity exhibited during the congresses.
According to him, such unity remains key to strengthening the party and ensuring its success in 2027.
Meanwhile, residents of the Chikun and Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna State have expressed concern over what they described as the sidelining of the constituency in the ongoing congresses of the APC in the state.
The stakeholders of the party bore their minds in a press statement issued on Friday in Kaduna.
They said they were disappointed that no representative from the constituency was included in the Kaduna State Organising Committee for the congresses.
The statement, jointly signed by Mr Samaila Leeman and Mr Cafra Caino, said the omission raised questions about equity, inclusivity and fair representation within the party structure.
According to them, the federal constituency has a significant population and voting strength and has consistently supported the APC in previous elections.
They stated that despite the constituency’s contributions to the party’s electoral successes, it was not represented in the Kaduna State Executive Council, adding that the current development could negatively affect the party’s fortunes if not addressed.
They alleged that critical political figures in Chikun Local Government Area, including former members of the House of Representatives and House of Assembly, former Commissioners, heads of agencies and former local governments Chairmen, were excluded from the constitution of both the local government and ward congress committees.
They described the situation as an aberration of established party norms and democratic practice, arguing that the highest-ranking political office holder in a local government area should ordinarily be entrusted with overseeing congress activities.
The group warned that the alleged exclusion could alienate grassroots supporters and weaken party cohesion in the area.
They, however, reaffirmed their commitment to the APC and called on the party’s national and state leadership to urgently review the situation and ensure adequate representation of Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in all party structures.
“Inclusivity is the bedrock of any progressive political movement,” the statement added.
NAN
