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Longstanding members of the APC in Enugu State have accused certain stakeholders of manipulating the exercise and disregarding an earlier power-sharing agreement.
The arrangement followed the defection of Governor Peter Mbah and many of his supporters from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC last year.
Under the agreement, PDP defectors were to occupy 17 of the 26 ward executive positions, while original APC members and Labour Party (LP) defectors would share the remaining nine.
At the local government level, PDP members were allocated 17 of the 28 executive slots, leaving 11 for others.
However, aggrieved members alleged that the formula was ignored in most LGAs, claiming PDP members not only retained key offices but also took additional positions meant for APC and LP loyalists.
In areas such as Enugu South, Oji River and Igbo-Eze North, critics said PDP members exceeded their allotted slots. Some displaced party figures described the outcome as unfair and demoralising, arguing that principal roles were monopolised, leaving less influential offices for others.
Despite the complaints, Governor Mbah praised the peaceful conduct of the congress in Nkanu East, where Hon. Abel Nwigwe emerged chairman.
He described the exercise as a model of unity and consensus across the state’s 17 LGAs and reaffirmed his commitment to delivering democratic dividends.
In Lagos, party executives emerged through consensus across the 20 LGAs. State leaders commended delegates for orderly conduct, noting that the process complied with party rules and electoral guidelines.
Similarly, in Ondo State, peaceful congresses were reported in most of the 18 LGAs, although earlier ward congress violence in Idanre led to two deaths and multiple arrests. Party leaders condemned the attack.
Consensus arrangements were also adopted in Delta, Edo, Oyo and Kwara states, with party stakeholders expressing satisfaction and pledging stronger mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in support of President Bola Tinubu.
