The Enugu State Police Command, Tuesday, took control of the state’s Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over leadership tussle between two factions of the party.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a police squad led by the Commissioner, Mohammed Danmallam, cordoned the office, preventing movement in and out of the premises located on Nike Avenue, GRA, Enugu.
The factional group led by Mr Okey Ogbodo was believed to be holding a meeting in the office when another led by Dr Ben Nwoye pounced.
It took the quick intervention of the police to rescue the situation from degenerating into a violent clash.
The Ogbodo-led group later moved to a transport office company on Abakaliki Road and continued its meeting amidst tight security.
“Ben Nwoye’s faction is illegal and you need be told this based on our National Chairman’s declaration and the court’s restraining order to Ben to stop parading himself as Chairman,” Mr Ogbodo said.
“My emergence as the State Chairman of the party was a product of the state congress held on 19th May.
“In as much as another Congress has not held afterwards to select another chairman, no one has the right to claim chairmanship position of APC in the state.
“The decision of the Congress is what is recognised by enforcement agencies and upheld by the law.”
Ogbodo, however, claims the current rift won’t derail the party’s chances in the forthcoming elections.
“We are suing for peace and as soon as we reconcile with the other faction, we will become one and will come out stronger and better.
“Politics is all about conflict and conflict resolution. What is happening in the state is not new. It happens everywhere,” he noted.
