Anambra APC Delegate Elects Senator Anosike As New State Chairman

By Chuks Eke—

A former Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Chief Emmanuel Anosike, has emerged as Chairman of Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in a delegate Congress that took place on Tuesday at the state party Secretariat in Awka.

Announcing the outcome of the exercise, Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Rear Admiral Williams Kayoda (rtd.), announced the consensus result of State Executive Committee members, which was endorsed by about 2,100 delegates through voice affirmation.

Kayoda called out the names of the successful candidates elected into various positions, including JC Okeke as the Deputy Chairman, while Chief Obi Okpala was elected Secretary of the party, among others.

The returning officer stated that the exercise was conducted in accordance with Articles 14 and 20 of the APC Constitution, which provide for the use of consensus in the election of party officers.

He said, “I, Rear Admiral Williams Kayoda (rtd), Chairman of the Congress Committee and Returning Officer for the Anambra State chapter of the APC, hereby affirm that the congress was free, fair, transparent and credible.”

“In fulfilment of the relevant provisions of Articles 20 and 14 of our party Constitution, Senator Emma Anosike and other elected members of the State Executive Committee are hereby duly elected and returned.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Congress Harmonisation Committee and Director-General of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Senator Uche Ekwunife, explained that the adoption of a “basketing” and consensus approach was aimed at ensuring the emergence of credible and competent leaders capable of repositioning the party in the state.

Ekwunife noted that the era of appointing party executives without due consideration for competence and capacity was over.

According to her, stakeholders at the ward and local government levels were fully engaged in the harmonisation process.

“We invited stakeholders across the wards and local governments and, in line with the constitutional provisions on consensus, agreed on a basketing arrangement to elect party members who are committed to the growth and progress of the party.

“We found Senator Emmanuel Anosike and his executive team fit and proper to manage the affairs of the party in the state,” she added.

In his acceptance speech, the newly-elected chairman, Senator Anosike, described his election as a call to service and a responsibility to reposition and strengthen the party in Anambra State.

Anosike assured members of the party of an inclusive administration, emphasising that no stakeholder would be sidelined under his leadership.

He said, “We shall ensure that all members are carried along in the affairs of the party. I assure all party faithful that this marks a new dawn for the APC in Anambra State.

“I also express my gratitude to the Governor-General of the South-East, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, for his leadership in managing the party in the region.

“As a party, we are committed to delivering President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections,” he stated.

As a result, the outgoing Ejidike-led executive members of the party were formally dissolved. The dissolution followed a motion moved by Chief Olisa Metuh and seconded by Dr Onuora Okonkwo, which was subsequently adopted through a voice vote.

In his valedictory remarks, the outgoing State Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike, who served for seven years, urged party members to rally behind the new executive committee.

Ejidike expressed confidence that the party would continue to grow from strength to strength under the new leadership.

He acknowledged the peaceful conduct of delegates, saying that the APC structure in Anambra State was second to none in the federation.

“We commend President Bola Tinubu for keeping the party as one. Anambra APC leaders had demonstrated that the party remained supreme”.

“We also commend the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, over his continuous support for the party in Anambra State and South East region as a whole. I promised to support the new executive 100 per cent to enable them to achieve their future set goals.

The congress attracted prominent personalities, including the Chairman of the United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Azuka Okwuosa, Dr Iyke Ilobi, among others.