GOVERNOR Chukwuma Charles Soludo-led Anambra State has sealed up the state office of Edozie Njoku-led and Independent National Electoral Commission recognised faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Awka, Anambra State.
The complex situate in Udoka Housing Estate also houses the campaign office of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
The complex was sealed up on Tuesday by some officials of the state government who were accompanied by some soldiers and police operatives.
Speaking on the development, the National Vice-Chairman (South-East) of the party, Mr, Tony Uche Ezekwelu, told reporters that the state government must have felt threatened by the party’s growing popularity since Mr Njoku became the recognized national chairman of the party.
“We came to the office this morning to monitor the sale of expression of interest forms for the local government councillorship and chairmanship election scheduled for 28 September 2024.
“As I was coming in, I saw some of our party officials struggling with officials of the state government who were accompanied by some police operatives and soldiers, and they said they came to seal our party office following an order from above,” Mr Ezekwelu narrated.
He further stated “Their reason was that the area was initially mapped out as a residential area and not for commercial activities.
“Our concern was that there was no previous notice. This is our new party office since we came into office two months ago.
“There are many commercial offices in this area, including Nonye Soludo’s Healthy Living. Over the years, political parties have always used this area as their campaign office, but nobody has sealed it.”
Mr Ezekwelu also said that in addition to Mr Obi’s campaign office, past governorship and presidential candidates had offices within the complex.
“What happened here is unfortunate, and we know it is all politics. If there was any default, we ought to have been written instead of swooping into our office as if terrorists were occupying the place.
“They should know that this is the official state office of APGA and the only one for that matter as recognised by law. Maybe they’re worried that APGA members have been trooping into the place, and that rattled them,” he said.
Governor Soludo is backing another faction of the party led by Sly Ezeokenwa.
When contacted Tuesday night, the National Publicity Secretary of the Sly Ezeokenwa-led faction, Opara Ejimofor, said he was unaware of the incident.
“I don’t have that information,” said Mr Ejimofor, the New Media aide to the governor.
Also, the spokesman to Governor Soludo, Christian Aburime, said that the action must have been in response to a violation of state law.
Mr Aburime insists Governor Soludo has no hand in the exercise.
“Any property that was sealed off means that the owners must have infringed on the law, and there is an agency that implements such laws.
“It was not sealed up by the Anambra State government. It was not sealed up by Governor Soludo,” he said.
It will be recalled that the Professor Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC conferred recognition on Mr Njoku-led faction. The recognition was sequel to
November 2023 verdict of Justice Mohammed Madugu of a Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Bwari. The court directed INEC to accord Mr Njoku recognition as APGA’s National Chairman.
However, a few days later, Mr Ezeokenwa-led faction obtained an interim injunction which restrained INEC from recognising Mr Njoku as the party chairman
Justice J.K. Omotoso of a Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory granted the injunction.
Eighteen-Eleven Media