Anambra State governorship aspirant, Johnbosco Onunkwo, has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to extend an olive branch to former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, and other aggrieved members of the party.
Speaking at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Saturday, shortly after passing the party’s primary screening, Onunkwo emphasized the need for unity within the party ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.
He stressed that the APC must present a united front to stand a strong chance in the polls.
When asked whether Ngige still identifies as an APC member despite his long silence, Onunkwo affirmed that the former minister remains committed to the party.
“Ngige is still a full member of the APC. If he wasn’t, we wouldn’t have seen him at the caucus meeting of our National Executive Committee (NEC), where he was present in person,” he said.
Onunkwo also expressed support for Tinubu’s recent directive for party reconciliation, urging the committee to move swiftly in resolving internal disputes.
“The reconciliation committee must commence work without delay because expectations are high. Many party members who have been part of the APC since its days as AD, AC, and ACN feel sidelined. We need to reintegrate them,” he added.
According to him, these members hold significant electoral influence and must be engaged to ensure victory for the party.
Ngige, a former Anambra State governor, has had a strained relationship with the APC leadership since 2022, when he refused to publicly endorse Tinubu’s presidential bid.
His reluctance to declare support for Tinubu over his kinsman, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, during a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today stirred controversy within party ranks.
Ngige’s stance placed him among prominent APC figures, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who distanced themselves from Tinubu’s campaign.
Onunkwo’s appeal follows President Tinubu’s directive at the last NEC meeting, where he urged APC leaders to initiate reconciliation efforts across all states ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The National Working Committee is doing a commendable job. However, we must reconcile with aggrieved members at the state level,” Tinubu stated.
“Let us work together to sustain the progressive ideals of our party and navigate the economic challenges affecting not just Nigeria but the world.”
