From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
Leadership crisis in Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened as two parallel State party Chairmen have resumed claim to be in charge.
This fresh crisis erupted as a result of  interview granted to the Channels Television by the Minister for Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige where he declined to disclose who he would support between Tinubu and the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.
It was against this backdrop that one of the Chairmen, Chief Basil Ejidike said that Ngige was  on his own in respect of the said television interview.
” Ngige never said he represented the party during the interview and whatever he said was personal and does not reflect the position of the party in Anambra state, ” he said .
Reacting to Ejidike’s statement, also Chairman of the party, Barr Emeka Ibe said that Ejidike was not the chairman following the judgement of the Court of Appeal in December 2021 which reaffirmed him (Emeka Ibe ) as Anambra State chairman of the party.
“It  is obvious that from the judgments of the Court of Appeal Enugu division delivered on the 6th of December 2022 and that of Anambra State High Court delivered on the 23rd February 2022 that Chief Basil Ejidike is not the State Chairman of APC in Anambra State. He he is not speaking for the party.
“This type of statement made by Basil Ejidike has cost the party in the State victories even in elections we ought to have won.
“In respect of the said interview granted to Channel’s Television by the Honorable Minister, the said Ejidike acknowledged the fact that the Honourable Minister for Labour and employment was speaking for himself and as such, there is no need heating up the polity and causing avoidable tension, if not for pecuniary purposes.
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“The said interview granted by Sen. Chris Ngige being one of the founding fathers of the party, calls for concern and a need for the party and our Presidential candidate to look in words in the interest of the party.
 “This is not the time to feel that the election has been won or to sideline any one as all hands must be on deck in the interest of the Party.
“It  is our firm belief that the time for mercantile politics has gone. APC as a party must face realities which is staring us all in the face, ” he noted.