APC Zonal Congress Crisis: Pro-Mbah Youths Disrupt ‘Parallel’ South-East Gathering in Enugu

Supporters of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, on Wednesday disrupted a parallel South-East zonal congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu, allegedly linked to Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.

The supporters, largely youths, stormed the venue of the congress, chanting solidarity songs and declaring allegiance to Mbah while demanding an immediate halt to what they described as an unauthorized parallel gathering in the zone.

In videos that surfaced on social media, the youths were seen singing the popular “On Your Mandate” anthem associated with President Bola Tinubu, as they reinforced their support for the Enugu governor.

The protesters reportedly forced their way into the premises, damaging a sliding gate before taking control of the venue.

The disruption is believed to be linked to internal disagreements within the APC in the South-East.

Governor Uzodimma had earlier distanced himself from the mainstream zonal congress and was said to have convened a separate meeting in Enugu, while other stakeholders in the region held theirs at a different location.

Party insiders attributed the rift to a lingering power tussle over control of the APC structure in the zone.

A source disclosed that Uzodimma had previously overseen party affairs in the South-East when Enugu lacked an APC governor.

“Uzodimma coordinated key party positions in the zone at a time when Enugu was not under APC leadership.

However, with the emergence of an APC governor in Enugu, there are growing concerns about continued external control,” the source said.

Another party stakeholder urged the Imo governor to limit his political influence to his state, noting that Enugu now has its own leadership within the party.

“There are positions already zoned to Imo, and no one is contesting those. Attempts to extend control to other states in the zone are generating unnecessary tension,” the source added.

Despite the earlier disruption, calm appeared to return later in the day, as another video showed APC governors, including Uzodimma, arriving at the congress venue after what observers described as a possible resolution of the dispute.

The APC is conducting its zonal congresses simultaneously across the country’s geopolitical zones ahead of its national convention scheduled for March 27 and 28.