Lilian Ugwu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria’s South-East has taken a strategic step toward internal stability by adopting a consensus-driven approach at its zonal congress held in Enugu, a move party stakeholders say reflects growing cohesion within the region.
The congress, which brought together key political figures from Enugu State, saw the participation of the region’s APC governors—Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodimma, and Francis Nwifuru—alongside other senior party stakeholders and delegates.
Rather than a competitive electoral process, party leaders aligned on a consensus arrangement that guided the emergence of a new zonal executive. The decision was presented as a deliberate effort to avoid factional disputes and reinforce unity ahead of future political engagements, including national-level party activities.
The consensus process, which followed internal consultations, led to the nomination and adoption of Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu as the new zonal chairman. The approach also extended to other leadership positions, with stakeholders endorsing a harmonized list of executives to oversee party affairs in the zone.
Prominent party leaders emphasized that the adoption of consensus was in line with internal party guidelines and the broader objective of strengthening the APC’s organizational structure in the South-East. They noted that the method allows for quicker decision-making and reduces the likelihood of post-congress disputes that could weaken the party’s cohesion.
Governor Hope Uzodimma, who also chairs the South-East Governors’ Forum, framed the development as a reflection of shared political direction among party leaders in the region. He reiterated that unity remains central to the APC’s strategy in maintaining relevance and competitiveness in the zone.
Similarly, Governor Peter Mbah described the outcome as evidence of growing alignment among party stakeholders, suggesting that the congress marks a turning point in consolidating the APC’s presence in the South-East political landscape.
The event also drew notable political figures and party stalwarts, signaling broad-based participation and interest in the outcome of the congress. Observers view the consensus-driven congress as part of a wider effort by the APC to stabilize its structures across geopolitical zones ahead of future elections.
With the new zonal executive in place, the party is expected to focus on grassroots coordination, membership strengthening, and strategic positioning as it works to expand its influence across the South-East region.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.