APC: Our Doors Open For New Members – Minister

With the 2027 general election drawing closer, the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Enugu State has declared its readiness to welcome new members, including defectors from rival political parties.

Speaking at an expanded APC stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu on Friday, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, said many politicians were looking for a viable platform to actualise their ambitions.

He described some of these figures as “internally displaced politicians”, noting that the APC’s growing strength in the state was attracting them.

Nnaji claimed that Governor Peter Mbah had made moves to join the APC but insisted the defection had not been finalised.

“If the President of Nigeria wants to be governor of Enugu, let him come. We will support him. If the former governor or current governor of anywhere wants to join us, let him join. We will run the primaries, and that will be the main election. Once we finish the primaries, we have finished.

Let me tell you, he will not enter because he is afraid,” Nnaji said.

The minister, who ran for governor in 2023, confirmed he would again contest the position in 2027. He said his ambition was driven by a desire to serve and improve the lives of the people, not for personal gain.

Also, the lawmaker representing Enugu North/Enugu South Federal Constituency, Hon. Chima Atu, urged the people to embrace APC as a way of appreciating President Bola Tinubu’s magnanimity to the South East.

Atu commended President Tinubu for signing the South East Development Commission into law, a law he stressed has ended the marginalisation suffered by the region because of the civil war.

For his part, the State Chairman, Chief Ugochukwu Agballah, stated that APC Enugu State has been growing in leaps and bounds courtesy of Minister Nnaji who has borne the burden of sponsoring the party for more than one year now.

He urged party members to participate actively in the coming Continuous Voter Registration, CVR, exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, noting that from the end of August anybody attending Ward meeting must go with his or her voter card.

The meeting also saw the inauguration of the APC State Women’s Wing and the reception of new members, including former state lawmaker Hon. Onyinye Ugwu.

Party leaders say their target is clear: to take over Enugu State in 2027. Whether they can break the PDP’s long dominance remains to be seen, but with high-profile defections and a fiery campaign already taking shape, the political landscape in the state is set for a fierce contest.