By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, appears to be losing grip of Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the declaration of former governorship aspirant of the party, Senator Andy Uba, as the leader of the party by a faction of the party.

The proclamation was made at a caucus meeting of the party held on Friday in Maitama area of Abuja.

The meeting, which was convened by the acting state chairman of the party was attended by major stakeholders of the party, among them Senator Andy Uba and his deputy, Barrister Emeka Okafor, Senators Emma Anosike and Ik Obiora.

Others were, Honourables Linda Ikpeazu, Vincent Ofumelu, Chidi Duru, Chinedu Eluemunoh, Jerry Ugokwe, Ralph Okeke, Fort Dike, Chuma Nzeribe, Afam Ogene, Chizor Obidigwe and Peter Madubueze.

From the Anambra State House of Assembly were former Speakers, Ben Chuks Nwosu and Chinwe Nwaebeli; former and current Principal Officers, Ebele Obi and Lawrence Ezeudu, amongst five other serving members.

Also in attendance were former Minister of Transportation, John Emeka, former National Auditor, Paul Chukwuma, zonal Youth Leader, Olisaemeka Onyeka, and the State Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike.

Other members of the SWC, who are members of the State Caucus, present were the deputy state chairman, Anaedobe Johnbosco, State Treasurer, Chris Udenze, Women Leader, Callista Nwachukwu, State Youth Leader, Augustine Mumoaife, Special (Physically Challenged) Leader, Obi Ndigwe.

Equally in attendance were the zonal chairman, North, Ezenwa Ekwuaju, and zonal chairman, South, Izuchukwu Okeke.

According to the Media and Publicity Director of Andy Uba Campaign Organisation during the November 6 governorship election, Hon Afam Ogene, the meeting convened by Ejidike floored that of Ngige in terms of attendance, adding that the caucus used the opportunity to wrestle power off Ngige and official confirm Uba as the leader of the party.

He said: “Anambra State Caucus of the All Progressives Congress, APC, joined by some other stakeholders, last night rose from a meeting held in Maitama, Abuja and resolved, amongst others, to Affirm His Excellency, Senator Emmanuel Andy Uba MFR, as the authentic Leader of the State Chapter of the APC.

“This decision is in tandem with the standing paradigm that the current Gubernatorial Candidate of the Party becomes the Leader of the Party in the State.

“The meeting, which was generously attended, comprised former Senators, current and former members of the House of Representatives, current and former Presiding and Principal Officers of the State House of Assembly, 14 out of 17 members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the Party, a former Minister, current and former zonal and national officers of the Party, as well as the governorship and deputy governorship candidates of the Party in the recently held Anambra gubernatorial election.”

Ogene, a for member of the House of Representatives, added: “In line with Section 12:9(xviii) of the APC Constitution 2014(As Amended), which requires the admittance of two other leaders per senatorial zone to join the State Caucus, the following, Barrister C.J Chinwuba and Melville Ebo, North; Dozie Ikedife and Chidi Ogbaji, South; and Dennis Ngene and Chibuzor Obiakor were also in attendance.

“The State Caucus received briefing from Ejidike on the State of the Party in Anambra, and accepted and adopted the Report given by the Chairman. These included the suspension handed down to the former state secretary,

Meanwhile, it was gathered that Ngige who also held a caucus meeting of the party in the state in his residence in Abuja had some of the party big wigs in attendance.

News Express reports that there have been a running battle between Ngige and Uba over who controls the party since after the governorship election in Anambra State.

Update news