APC zones party offices in Ebonyi ahead of state congress

The All Progressives Congress in Ebonyi, has adopted zoning arrangement for party positions in Saturday, May 19, state congress to elect new party state executive.
The party chairman, Chief Eze Nwachukwu, who briefed newsmen on Monday in Abakaliki, said that the ratification of the zoning arrangement was the major decision taken at a stakeholders’ meeting held behind closed doors.
He said that the decision of the party to zone the various positions across the 13 local government areas, was aimed at forestalling tension and friction, open contest was likely to generate.
He said that the party had at a recent stakeholders’ meeting held at the instance of the Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, approved a committee of three eminent leaders to fashion out the zoning formula.
Nwachukwu said the committee comprising the Minister, former Governor Martin Elechi and Senator Chris Nwankwo brainstormed and produced a harmonised zoning arrangement that was accepted by all stakeholders of the party.
He said: “Our party mandated our three leaders who have seen it all in life and have attained so many high political positions whom we believe have goodwill for our dear state to give direction on zoning for the party state congress.
“We chose the three wise leaders, one each from the three senatorial zones to reflect equity and fairness, which are foundation of democracy, to give direction so that we can have peaceful, united and focused congress.
“The leaders presented their reports which the stakeholders considered and approved as a guide for the election of officials for the various positions, in Saturday ‘s state congress.
“The report of the committee was unanimously accepted and adopted without any dissenting voice.
“The party state executive that will emerge from the zoning arrangement will represent interests of the various local government areas of the state.”
Nwachukwu who commended the leaders for the work, noted that the forthcoming state congress was as good as concluded and urged local government areas to stick to positions zoned to their areas.
Chief Michael Okoro, a chieftain of the party who spoke to newsmen, described the decision as a ‘welcome’ development.
Okoro said: “This decision will further strengthen and reposition our great party, ahead of 2019 general elections.
“With the decision, our party is ‘good to go’ for the Saturday, May 19 state congress and in 2019 governorship election in Ebonyi.”