Chief Chidiebere J. Okoh, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, has issued a stern warning to the leadership of the party over the conduct of the upcoming Local Government congresses. He emphasized that any deviation from democratic principles in the congress process would not be tolerated, urging party leaders to prioritize fairness and transparency.

Chief Okoh raised serious concerns about reports that certain individuals, who were not originally part of the APC, might be positioned to occupy key roles in the congresses. He pointed out that such actions would not only be a disservice to party members who have remained loyal and dedicated to the APC but also undermine the integrity of the entire party structure. According to Okoh, the exclusion of loyal members in favor of outsiders would breed discontent and disenchantment among the grassroots, leading to an environment of internal chaos.

“There is no room for imposition of candidates or neglecting the people who have sacrificed for the party. The APC must be built on the foundation of true democratic values where everyone has a fair opportunity to contest for positions based on merit and commitment,” Chief Okoh stated.

He further cautioned that failure to adhere to the democratic process would have serious consequences, including prolonged litigation that could destabilize Abia’s APC. He warned that if the party’s internal affairs were manipulated to favor anti-party elements, it could jeopardize the APC’s future in the state, as these elements could potentially sabotage the party from within.

In a final appeal, Chief Okoh called on those organizing the congresses to take heed of the lessons from past mistakes. “The people are watching, and they want to see whether we will repeat the errors of the past. The future of the APC in Abia is at stake, and the leadership must act in the best interest of the party and its loyal members,” he concluded.

As the APC gears up for the congresses, all eyes will be on the party leadership to ensure that the process is fair, transparent, and inclusive, in line with the true democratic ideals that the party strives to uphold.