UPDATE: Governor Soludo’s Double Political Distress

By Ebuka Onyekwele

Only on Tuesday, INEC, for the first time, recognized Chief Edozie Njoku as the rightful National Chairman of APGA. This is happening after five years of intense legal battles. In comparison, the argument went on earlier on Tuesday as to the authenticity of Edozie Njoku’s recognition by INEC, later in the evening of that Tuesday, Chief Njoku’s name was updated on INEC’s website as the substantive National Chairman of APGA, putting to rest the ragging argument as to the authenticity of Njoku’s claims.

For argument, the court cannot give a favourable judgment in a vacuum. Similarly, INEC cannot accord recognition to Njoku on nothingness. Therefore, even without knowing the details of the case, this simple commonsense test should guide any honest observer.

Anambra Decides: Soludo Wins 14 LGAs Announced (See Results Inside)

For now, we have seen from APGA a case of internal conflict where the party is opposed to itself. Jesus, in the Bible, taught a valuable strategic lesson that resonates with this development. It happened that his disciples reported that someone was casting out demons somewhere and that the person was not one of them. Jesus inquired to know in whose name the person was casting the demon and was informed that he did that in his name. Then, he admonished his disciples to leave him, provided he was doing so in his name. Jesus also gave the parable of the wheat and tares. He instructed that both wheat and tares must be allowed to grow together till harvest. But APGA is publicly fighting against others, laying claims to membership of the party. This speaks of the fundamental absence of strategy. Chief Njoku’s claims to APGA cannot be dismissed or wished away. It shouldn’t be dismissed.

That press release signed by a former APGA Publicity Secretary is ill-advised and in bad faith. What if Chief Njoku remains the National Chairman of APGA?

While the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, was still trying to figure out how best to address his party leadership challenge that is considered a hugely consequential political development, another one struck!.

Anambra LGs: Stakeholders React As Soludo Appoints TC Chairmen

On Thursday, the Supreme Court directed that running Local Government Areas- LGAs, with Transition Committee, is illegal and that the Federal Government- FG, must now commence sending LGA funds directly to the LGAs.

Anambra’s LGA funds will now wait till there are elected LGA officials

This Supreme Court judgment is a serious blow to the current administration in Anambra State. The implication is that the LGA funds amounting to at least several billions a month, will no longer be sent to the State Government, I mean the Joint Account. Anambra’s LGA funds will now wait till there are elected LGA officials.

About a month ago, the government of Anambra State sensed the far-reaching implication of the suit by the FG which the Supreme Court has dispensed judgment on, and swiftly submitted an electoral bill to the State Assembly, and the same was passed on record time. So, the government was gearing up for possible conduct of the LGA election when the need arose, just as it now has.

As it is, with the crisis in APGA in which the current National Chairman recognized by law at present, is openly opposed by the governor indirectly and the current government structure in Anambra State, how would the current administration navigate this Supreme Court’s decision? How can the state conduct a quick LGA election to escape this situation?

UPDATE: Activities Of Attacks In Southeast

Observers and enthusiasts can look deeply and see the grave consequences and uncertainties these present. The challenge is fully capable of disrupting the politics and government of Anambra State both now and in 2025. Worst still, the current administration would no longer have access to the LGA funds which had been the source of oiling political machinery of the government in power in the state. This is a difficult time for the present Anambra State Government and its political interests.

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