The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has warned intending defectors to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State to abandon any hopes of securing automatic tickets or hijacking the party’s structure.
Speaking on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at an expanded stakeholders’ meeting in Enugu, Nnaji said while the APC would welcome new members, every aspirant, regardless of status must contest in party primaries.
He accused some “politically displaced politicians” of lobbying in Abuja to join the Enugu APC and seize control through the “back door,” in what appeared to be a veiled reference to Governor Peter Mbah’s rumoured interest in the party.
“Anybody who wants to run for the governorship of Enugu State, let him come to the APC — we will contest,” Nnaji declared. “Even if the President wants to run here, he must go through the primaries. The primary will be the main election.”
The minister also took a swipe at unnamed politicians he described as “Internally Displaced Politicians”, partyless individuals allegedly seeking relevance. He expressed confidence that APC’s strategy, “backed by God,” would secure the party’s victory in 2027.
Nnaji commended State Chairman Ugochukwu Agballah, party executives, and stakeholders for their dedication, assuring them of future rewards for their loyalty.
Three House of Representatives members , Hon. Sunday Umeha (Udi/Ezeagu), Hon. Chimobi Atu (Enugu North/Enugu South), and Prof. Paul Nnamchi , who recently defected from the Labour Party to the APC, pledged to work towards the party’s victory in all 2027 elections, including the governorship race.
Umeha, the first to defect, revealed that more lawmakers, including a senator, are expected to join the APC soon. Agballah noted the party’s rapid growth in the state and urged members to participate in the upcoming continuous voter registration (CVR) exercise, warning that attendance at ward meetings would require a voter card from late August.
“There will be a primary in APC,” Agballah reiterated. “There will be proper nomination in APC.”
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