Ministerial Appointee Of SGF Slot Given To South-East Zone

The South-east zone of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently enmeshed in tussle over who becomes the next Secretary to the Government of the Federation as zoned to the area by the party.

It was gathered Wednesday that a meeting summoned by the leadership caucus of the zone in Abuja, ended without an agreement on the nominees to be submitted for the positions of SGF as well for ministerial positions. While confirming the stalemate, a top party source who was at the South-east caucus meeting held on Tuesday night at the Imo State Governor’s Lodge, said: “The leaders met to consider nominee for the post of the SGF which has been ceded to the zone. He also said the meeting was to harmonise the list of ministerial nominees from the five states in the zone. However, the source told THISDAY that the meeting ended in a stalemate because three top contenders for the position, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Senator Chris Ngige and the current Secretary to Imo State Government, Dr. Anwuka failed to yield ground for one another. The source said: “ The meeting was divided on whether to forward one name or the three names, but later resolve to send three names to the president-elect to decide whom to choose.” There was divergent positions by the stakeholders who attended the meeting on who amongst the three should take the position. Those who supported Ngige were of the view that he has garnered vast experiences both as a retired senior civil servant and former governor of Anambra State where his developmental impact was felt greatly by the people. They also said Ngige has knowledge party administration, is very accessible and friendly politician. On the issue of ministerial nominees, the meeting resolved that three name should forwarded from each state to the president-elect. It said each state caucus of the party would go back and consult before choosing the three nominees. According the source basis agreed for the choice of the nominees should in the following order, those who vied for elections but lost, women and others. Before the meeting ended the Caucus resolved that henceforth, Dr. Onu would be regarded as the APC south east zonal leader, while the governor of Imo state Chief Rochas Okorocha will be the Zonal Coordinator with Senator Ngige as the Deputy Zonal Coordinator. The meeting also nominated the National Vice Chairman (South East) Emma Eneukwu to serve as the zonal Secretary. It was learnt that meeting then resolved to meet again by next week after the peace committee headed former governor of Ekiti state, Olusegun Oni on the crisis in Enugu chapter of the party concluded its assignment.