By EMMANUEL MOGBEDE

Members of the APC Diaspora Italy Chapter have formally protested the proposed APC Diaspora Global Women Summit 2026 scheduled to hold in Rome from June 20 to 28.

The stakeholders also urged the party’s national leadership to urgently review arrangements for the summit and ensure broader stakeholder involvement before the event commences.

In a protest letter dated June 15, 2026, and addressed to APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the group expressed concerns over alleged exclusion from planning activities.

The letter was signed by Mr Okpioba Iredia Osakue, Chairman of the APC Diaspora Italy Chapter, and Amb. Benedict Obafueko, National Secretary of the chapter.

The signatories reaffirmed their loyalty to the party and its leadership, while expressing concerns over the manner the summit was being organised in Italy.

According to the letter, recognised stakeholders and duly registered APC members residing in Italy were allegedly excluded from consultations and preparations for the planned summit.

The group stated that concerns arose following reports that the organisers engaged Mr Chima Ibezim, who allegedly presented himself as APC Italy Chapter Chairman.

They said that issues relating to leadership recognition within the Italy chapter remained unresolved and required clarification from the party’s national secretariat before the event proceeds.

The stakeholders requested clarification regarding “the officially recognised leadership and organisational structure of APC in Italy,” warning that uncertainty could create confusion among members.

They argued that several established stakeholders were neither consulted nor involved in preparations, including Ms Patience Ehiabhi, APC Edo representatives in Italy and other leaders.

According to the letter, excluding recognised stakeholders from an event presented as an APC programme could create misunderstanding, division and factionalisation among members in Italy.

The group further warned that such developments could extend beyond Italy and affect relationships among party members across other European countries and diaspora communities.

They stated that the situation could undermine unity, collaboration and collective efforts by loyal members who had consistently promoted APC ideals and organisational growth abroad.

The stakeholders maintained that official APC programmes within the diaspora should be organised through transparent, inclusive and consultative processes involving all recognised stakeholders.

They said such an approach would help preserve fairness, strengthen credibility and enhance confidence in party activities among members and supporters in the diaspora.

Among their requests, the group urged the APC National Chairman and National Working Committee to review the circumstances surrounding the summit and consult stakeholders.

They also called for measures to prevent actions capable of creating division, parallel structures or factional disputes within the party’s diaspora chapters.

The stakeholders further recommended that the planned summit be reviewed or postponed pending consultations and clarification of issues raised in the protest letter.

They emphasised that the protest was not intended to undermine the party’s National Women Leader, who was spearheading arrangements for the summit.

Rather, they said the action was motivated by commitment to “party unity, transparency, and due process” and aimed at strengthening cohesion within the party.

The stakeholders expressed confidence that the APC national leadership would address the concerns objectively, fairly and in the overall interest of the party. (NAN)

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