Adams Oshiomhole, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has sworn in Daniel Nwafor as the new Imo State chairman of the party despite an order by an Abuja Division of the Federal High Court which restrained the APC from conducting fresh congresses in Imo State until August 21.
According to online reports, the state chapter of the party had experienced parallel congresses between Governor Rochas Okorocha’s faction and that loyal to Mr Izunaso and the controversially removed deputy governor, Eze Madumere.
The former national leadership of the APC recognized Mr Izunaso’s faction led by Hillary Eke despite concerns raised by the governor. The governor continued to agitate that the congresses be cancelled.
On July 5, a Federal High Court in Owerri ruled that the controversial and parallel congresses held in the state in the lead up of the national convention be cancelled. The court said new congresses should be held in the state.
The party obeyed this order and conducted fresh fresh ward, local government and state congresses on July 20, 21 and 23 respectively; producing Daniel Nwaforas state chairman.
Speaking after administering the oath of office to the new state chairman, Mr Oshiomhole charged the chairman to do everything possible to ensure all members irrespective of the side they are on are carried along in the operations of the party.
Mr Oshiomhole promised that the national leadership will work with Mr Okorocha to ensure that varied interests are also integrated into the new party structure so that the party can operate as one family ahead the 2019 general elections.
At the event, Mr Okorocha said the situation in Imo State APC was normal politics, adding only the end “justifies the means.”
Speaking to journalists after the swearing in, Mr Nwafor, a former aide to the Imo governor, said he will be impartial in handling the affairs of the party.
When asked to comment on the legality of his swearing in despite a court injunction, Mr Nwafor said as far he was concerned, there was no infraction on the court ruling.
