Some All Progressives Congress (APC) foundation members in Enugu North senatorial district have appealed to Governor Peter Mbah to urgently intervene in the alleged removal of some party ward and local government executives in the area.
The group, under the aegis of G-30 Enugu North senatorial zone, made the appeal in a statement signed by a former APC Director of Research, Strategy and Intelligence Matters, Barth Ugwoke, on Wednesday in Enugu.
The group also asked the governor to ascertain the circumstances and authority under which the changes were made.
They alleged that some ward and local government executives who emerged from the party’s congresses in March had been removed and replaced without explanation communicated to the affected officials.
According to the statement, the affected executives were nominated through the foundation APC structure as part of an arrangement designed to integrate members of the former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Labour Party and the foundation APC into a unified party structure in the state.
The group demanded that where no valid resignation, disciplinary finding, anti-party activity or other constitutionally recognised ground exist, the duly elected executives should be returned to their respective positions.
“Direct that any future changes to elected party structures be made strictly in accordance with the APC Constitution and applicable party procedures.
“Encourage the state party leadership to embrace consultation, fairness and inclusiveness in dealing with the foundation APC members whose commitment and sacrifices helped sustain the party before the recent political realignment.
“Proper integration of foundation members, devoid of lopsided appointments and preserving the unity of the new APC,” it stated.
The group said it was among those who welcomed the governor and other former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders and members into the APC.
The statement added, “We welcomed the development in the firm belief that the coming together of the various political tendencies would produce a stronger, more united and more inclusive APC in Enugu State.
“We particularly appreciated the arrangement under which the existing PDP structure was integrated with the foundation APC and other political tendencies.
“As we understood the arrangement, the 18 existing PDP executives at the ward and LGA levels were to retain their positions, while the foundation APC members and former Labour Party members were to occupy the remaining nine positions.
“We respectfully submit that an elected party office should not be treated as an appointment that can simply be withdrawn or reassigned at the discretion of individuals.
“Where an elected official is alleged to have committed an offence or violated party rules, the appropriate disciplinary and constitutional procedures should ordinarily be followed, with the affected person given an opportunity to respond.
“Indeed, the APC itself has previously announced suspensions and dissolutions of ward and LGA executives in circumstances where it cited specific allegations, investigations and the constitution of a caretaker arrangement.”
(NAN)