By Chuks Eke
A group of grassroots support organization, under fhe platform of All Progressives Congress, APC in Anambra state known as APC United Volunteers has issued a strong warning signal in defense of the party’s Senatorial candidate in the recently concluded Anambra South Senatorial By-election, Sir Azuka Okwuosa following widespread criticism of his role in the recently concluded senatorial rerun election.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, signed by Ogbonna Egenti and Cyril Okoronkwo the group condemned what it described as ‘unfair attacks’ on Okwuosa from individuals who allegedly failed to contribute meaningfully towards the party’s electoral efforts.
Questioning the critics, APC United Volunteers specifically challenged the credibility of several prominent critics, including Emeka Anohu, whom they accused of working for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during the election period.
According to the group, “How can someone who actively championed a course for another party have the credibility to criticize our dedicated party member’s performance? The volunteers also took a swipe at Senator Joy Emordi, questioning her consistency within party ranks.
This is someone who openly supported the Labour Party in 2023, yet now positions herself as an APC ‘Super Stakeholder”.
The group expressed particular frustration with critics including Reverend Uche Ibeabuchi, Golden , and Phil Agbasi, who they said did not even participate in the election at all yet demanded accountability from those who participated.
On the allegations anti party activities against some party stalwarts, the volunteers admitted that they were part of those who made serious allegations against Dozie Ikedife Jnr, the party’s Southeast Zonal Organizing Secretary, claiming he received financial support for Nnewi North but failed to deliver results.
They further alleged that Ikedife worked overtly or covertly to facilitate rival candidate Obinna Uzoh’s entry into the race despite agreements with Okwuosa.”His complaints about receiving campaign funds in foreign currency on Saturday morning ring hollow when he received funds in both Naira and Dollars,” the statement noted, questioning whether unused funds were returned after the election.
Also on the challenge to Gubernatorial Leadership In an unprecedented move, the APC United Volunteers also questioned their own gubernatorial candidate’s performance, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, noting that his failure to secure victory in his home polling unit, ward, and local government area is a mark of weakness on his own part. They also accused Ukachukwu of sabotaging Okwuosa via funds received for the elections.
Defending Okwuosa’s record, the group highlighted that Okwuosa secured 19,000 votes, which they described as “a foundation for future success” achieved despite alleged internal sabotage.”Azuka Okwuosa has consistently invested in the APC’s limited successes in Anambra State and remains a core member of the party’s leadership structure,” the statement emphasized.
They therefore called for party unity, urging members to focus on building cohesion rather than engaging in what they termed “destructive blame games as according to them, internal divisions serve no one any useful purpose except our political opponents”.
“The party’s success depends largely on supporting dedicated members like Azuka Okwuosa, not allowing opportunistic critics to capitalize on his election loss to diminish genuine contributors”, they stated
