The All Progressives Congress (APC) zonal leadership for Nigeria's South East has issued a strong rebuttal, accusing its Deputy National Chairman (South), Ben Nwoye, of exceeding his constitutional authority and promoting division through his recent appearance on Arise TV's "News Night." The zonal chapter contends that Nwoye's remarks were ill-advised and stemmed from personal grievances rather than a commitment to party solidarity.
In a statement released on Tuesday, April 6, 2026, signed by Chief Arinze Dozie Ikedife (Zonal Organising Secretary) and Hon Henry Onwughalonye (Zonal Publicity Secretary), the party leaders described Nwoye's comments as unprofessional and lacking in genuine concern for the APC's unity.
The zonal leadership expressed appreciation for the support provided by the three APC governors in the region: Senator Hope Uzodimma of Imo State (who also serves as the party's leader in the South East), Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and Dr Peter Mbah of Enugu State. This support was crucial during the recent Local, State, and Zonal Congresses, as well as the National Convention.
According to the APC constitution, the statement clarified, the Deputy National Chairman (South) functions in an advisory capacity and does not possess supervisory powers over zonal operations. The constitutionally designated individual responsible for overseeing the South East zone is Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, the National Vice-Chairman (South East).
"It is very unethical for Mr. Nwoye to go on national television to comment on the party’s regional activities when we have a National Vice-Chairman who is constitutionally empowered to supervise and oversee the activities of the party in the zone," the statement read.
The zonal chapter dismissed Nwoye's alleged plans to collaborate with "founding fathers" to wrest control from a single individual as baseless. It highlighted that the APC already has two elected governors in the region – Uzodimma and Nwifuru – along with numerous federal and state legislators, prior to Governor Peter Mbah joining the party.
Furthermore, the statement confirmed that Senator Uche Ekwunife and Mr Paul Chukwuma, individuals reportedly mentioned by Nwoye, have been actively supporting the party and working in close collaboration with the zonal leadership.
The APC South East leadership suggested that Nwoye's public statements appeared to be driven by personal dissatisfaction. They advised him to address any issues within his home state of Enugu rather than attempting to represent the entire South East zone without consulting the established zonal working committee, which includes a constitutionally elected Zonal Publicity Secretary.
The party's South East leadership issued a warning that such actions contravene the party's constitution and will not be tolerated. They affirmed their commitment to maintaining discipline within the zone.
The statement also pointed to the considerable progress made by the APC in the South East under the strategic leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma, citing efforts to strengthen the party across all levels through inclusive engagement.
APC members were urged to reject divisive rhetoric and recommit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, with a focus on his re-election prospects in 2027.
Concluding its remarks, the zonal chapter recalled Nwoye's tenure as Chairman of the Enugu State APC, during which, it claimed, the party failed to secure any electoral victories at the ward level.
This response follows recent zonal congresses held by consensus in Enugu, which resulted in the election of a new zonal executive led by Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu.
Press Release
April 6, 2026
ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS
SOUTH EAST ZONE
RIGHT OF REPLY: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON MR. BEN NWOYE’S RECENT ARISE TV APPEARANCE
We watched a recent featuring of the Deputy National Chairman (South) of our great party, the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Ben Nwoye, on an Arise TV program, “News night”. Ordinarily, we would have ignored him, but for the sake of members of the public, especially members and supporters of our great party in the South East, who may not be aware of the true side of the story, we deemed it fit to issue the following response.
1\. We remain grateful to Imo State Governor and leader of our great party in the South East, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma; Ebonyi State Governor, His Excellency Francis Nwifuru; and Enugu State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Peter Mbah, for their support at the recently concluded Local, State and Zonal Congresses, as well as in the National Convention of our great party.
2\. We, in the party in the Southeast, carefully studied the constitutional role of Mr. Ben Nwoye as Deputy National Chairman (South), and confirmed that he has only an advisory role and no supervisory role over zonal activities.
3\. It is very unethical for Mr. Nwoye to go on a national TV to comment on the party’s regional activities when we have a National Vice-Chairman, Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, who is constitutionally empowered to supervise and oversee the activities of the party in the zone.
4\. It is very ridiculous hearing him saying that he will work closely with the party’s founding fathers to take full control of the party from “one man” when the party had two governors elected on its platform, His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, and His Excellency Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, as well as several legislators at federal and state levels, who showed continuous support for the party before being joined by the Enugu State Governor, His Excellency Dr. Peter Mbah.
5\. It is also important to note that two stakeholders mentioned by Mr. Ben Nwoye as founding fathers he is working to bring back to the party in order to take control out of “one man”, Senator Uche Ekwunife, and Mr. Paul Chukwuma, have been supporting the party and working closely with the zonal leadership, and their supports are always acknowledged.
6\. The party has always shown support to its leaders in the region and cannot stoop low and start making public the supports in order to please insecure persons like Mr. Ben Nwoye.
7\. Mr. Nwoye’s public outburst appears driven more by personal dissatisfaction than by any genuine concern for party unity.
8\. If Mr. Ben Nwoye has issues with his state, he should go and figure it out instead of trying to make a mountain out of a molehill and in his natural personal disposition and poor judgement and erratic comportment, speak for and refer to the southeast APC without consulting the well established zonal working community, which has a constitutionally elected Publicity Secretary. This is in utmost variance of the constitution of the APC and will not be tolerated from him henceforth.
9\. The Southeast Zonal chapter of our great party remains focused in supporting the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda across the grassroots and cannot be distracted by wild goose chasers.
10\. The Southeast Zonal chapter of our great party, while focused, shall not tolerate any form of indiscipline.
11\. The APC in the South East, under the strategic guidance of Governor Hope Uzodimma, has recorded remarkable progress in consolidating the party across wards and local governments through inclusive stakeholder engagement and visible commitment to national development goals.
12\. We call on all genuine members to shun divisive rhetoric and rededicate themselves to collective advancement rather than ego-driven distractions that achieve nothing but amusement for our political opponents, but rather to interrogate the many years that Mr. Ben Nwoye held sway as chairman of Enugu state APC and never won a single ward or even a pooling unit for the party.
13\. The Southeast Zonal chapter of our great party stands firm, disciplined, and resolute in its commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s APC administration and we are working tirelessly for his re election in 2027.
Signed:
Chief Arinze Dozie Ikedife
Zonal Organizing Secretary
All Progressives Congress
South East Zone
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