Barr. Ben Nwoye has emerged as the consensus candidate for the position of Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the party’s national convention.
Nwoye, a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in Enugu State, was widely regarded as the frontrunner for the position zoned to Enugu State. His emergence followed consultations reportedly guided by a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A source at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja told Journalist101 that the consensus arrangement for the convention scheduled for March 27 and 28 had already received presidential backing.
“The issue of Deputy National Chairman South of our great party has long been resolved,” the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The source added that the zoning arrangement empowered governors to determine candidates for positions allocated to their states.
“Emma Eneukwu stood no chance because the governors were given the express power to determine who fills the positions zoned to their state,” the source stated.
Describing Nwoye as a seasoned party figure, the source said his candidacy attracted broad acceptance within party ranks, particularly with the backing of the Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
“Ben Nwoye is an astute party man, hence accepting his candidacy was without much problem, and his governor, Peter Mbah, was resolute on his choice. Congratulations to him and the Progressives because this has once again shown that the APC is very organised and has a way of reconciling all interests,” the source added.
Journalist101 recalls that the contest for the position intensified amid alleged attempts by external interests to influence candidates for offices zoned to Enugu State.
However, insiders say the intervention of Governor Mbah helped consolidate the decision within the state’s leadership, effectively neutralising external pressures and paving the way for Nwoye’s emergence