Anambra governorship hopeful, Johnbosco Onunkwo, has called on President Bola Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to reconcile with Senator Chris Ngige and other discontented party members.
Speaking at the APC national secretariat in Abuja after successfully passing the party’s primary screening, Onunkwo emphasized the need for unity ahead of the November 8 governorship election.
He affirmed Ngige’s continued membership in the party, pointing to his presence at a recent NEC caucus meeting. “If he wasn’t in the APC, he wouldn’t have attended in person. The President had earlier directed the formation of a reconciliation committee, which should commence work immediately,” Onunkwo stated.
He urged swift action, stressing that founding members from AD, AC, and ACN feel sidelined. “These individuals form a significant voting bloc. To secure victory, we must reintegrate them. Many loyal supporters contribute to the party but feel left out. The reconciliation committee must act fast,” he added.
Ngige fell out with the party leadership in 2022 after declining to openly endorse Tinubu’s presidential candidacy during a live television interview. When asked to choose between Tinubu and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, he evaded the question, claiming political neutrality. His response sparked backlash among APC supporters, aligning him with other party stalwarts like Yemi Osinbajo and Rotimi Amaechi, who distanced themselves from Tinubu’s campaign.
Onunkwo’s appeal follows Tinubu’s recent directive for APC leaders to resolve internal disputes before the 2027 elections. At the last NEC meeting, Tinubu praised the National Working Committee and urged state chapters to establish reconciliation teams. “Let’s uphold our progressive values and work towards stability. Economic challenges persist globally, but we are committed to navigating them,” the President remarked.