By CHARLES IWUOHA

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone has reaffirmed its loyalty and support to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, dismissing speculations of internal disagreements within the party structure in the zone.

The Zonal Chairman of APC Ebonyi South, Alhaji Nasir Ernest Nwaze, stated this on Monday while interacting with journalists in Abakaliki, shortly after a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the state leadership of the party.

Nwaze said the meeting was part of routine consultations and interactions between party leaders and stakeholders across the federal constituency, stressing that members reaffirmed their solidarity and commitment to the governor, whom he described as the leader of the party in the state.

“The outcome of the meeting is just that we always interact with our people. Today, we interacted with our people at the federal constituency and they pledged their loyalty and solidarity with the governor of the state,” he said.

According to him, the party remains united behind Governor Nwifuru, noting that all members are expected to align with decisions taken by the governor and the party leadership.

“The governor of the state is the leader of the party and the party is with him. Whatever the decision of the governor or the decision of the party is what everybody in the state is supposed to abide by,” Nwaze added.

Reacting to questions on whether there were dissenting voices against the governor’s position within the party, the APC chieftain dismissed such claims, insisting that there was no known disagreement within the party fold.

“No. Before now, well, I don’t know. I don’t think there is. But it is always good that we affirm and reaffirm our loyalty and dedication to the governor of the state who is the leader of the party,” he stated.

Nwaze also explained the recurring stakeholders’ meetings in Edda, saying the APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, is from the area and has continued to engage party structures and stakeholders there as part of efforts to strengthen the party at the grassroots.

“The state chairman of the party is from Edda and as a leader and stakeholder of the party, he is supposed to be interacting regularly with his stakeholders and with the party structure. You don’t expect him as a state chairman to sit at the state office without interacting with his people,” he said.

On speculations linking the state party leadership to the purchase of nomination forms by former Minister of State for Health, Hon. Joseph Ekumankama, and the resignation of Eni Iduma from the APC to contest under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nwaze denied any involvement of the party leadership.

He maintained that both individuals merely exercised their constitutional and political rights.

“These people that you are mentioning are people that exercised their rights as politicians and as humans. So, we shouldn’t be bothered that anybody exercises his or her rights,” he said.

Speaking further on whether the APC would sanction Ekumankama over the purchase of nomination forms despite an alleged consensus arrangement within the party, Nwaze ruled out any disciplinary action.

“The party (APC) is not a military zone where people are not allowed to exercise their rights. Hon. Joseph Ekumankama has the right to buy his form and exercise his rights,” he added.