Abia Women Assembly President, Barr. Iyom Nnenna Obewu Onwuka, Congratulates Newly-Elected APC State Chairman Hon. Chijioke Chukwu
Barrister Iyom Nnenna Obewu Onwuka has warmly congratulated Hon. Chijioke Chukwu on his election as State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, describing his emergence as a defining moment for the party’s growth and unity.
Chukwu, a former Minority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, was elected APC State Chairman at the party’s state congress held in Umuahia earlier this week.
In a statement released on Friday, Barr. Obewu commended Chukwu’s dedication and service to the party, describing his election as “a well-deserved recognition of your commitment.”
She also extended warm congratulations to the newly elected State Executive Members who will work alongside him in steering the affairs of the party.
“As you assume this noble responsibility, kindly see yourself not just as a leader but as a father to all members of the party,” Barr. Obewu stated, emphasising that leadership demands wisdom, understanding, and discernment.
She urged Chukwu to lead with fairness, humility, and integrity, ensuring that all members feel valued and respected, regardless of their status or affiliation within the party.
Barr. Obewu further stressed that a good leader promotes discipline, unity, and accountability, calling on the new leadership to foster peace, harmony, and mutual respect within the party.
With Nigeria gradually approaching the next general election period, she highlighted the importance of conducting political activities responsibly, peacefully, and in accordance with the law.
“Your leadership will play a crucial role in maintaining order, stability, and credibility within the party,” she said, urging members to uphold democratic values and cooperation.
Barr. Obewu also encouraged Chukwu to lead by example, reminding him that effective leadership should serve the common good rather than personal interests. She expressed optimism that his tenure would reflect these ideals and leave a legacy of progress, fairness, and strong party cohesion.
“May God grant you the wisdom, strength, and grace to lead successfully,” she concluded, wishing the APC leadership a fruitful and impactful tenure.
Recall that the Abia State chapter of the APC earlier in March elected former Abia State House of Assembly Minority Leader, Chijioke Chukwu, as its new State Chairman during a widely acclaimed peaceful congress.
Chukwu, who represented Bende North Constituency in the House of Assembly, emerged by consensus at the party’s state congress held on Tuesday, a move widely seen as part of efforts to strengthen unity within the party. A former State Secretary of the party, Chief Chidi Tohukwu Avajah, was also returned during the exercise.
The congress was overseen by the State Congress Committee Chairman, Emmanuel Goar, while the Chairman of the Ward and Local Government Congress Committee was Marc Wabara. The exercise followed earlier ward and local government congresses conducted across the 17 local government areas of the state, which produced delegates for the state-level election.
Addressing party members after the congress, Goar commended stakeholders for ensuring that the processes at all levels were peaceful and seamlessly conducted.
“We started on a good footing and ended on the same footing, with all resolutions duly signed by stakeholders across wards and local governments before ratification at the state level,” he said.
He further noted that the four statutory committees comprising the Screening, Screening Appeal, Main Congress, and Congress Appeal worked in harmony to deliver credible and widely accepted outcomes.
Similarly, Wabara described the consensus approach adopted during the congress as effective, inclusive, and instrumental in preventing internal disputes. Other party stakeholders, including Emeka Wogu, Nkechi Nwaogu, and Henry Ikoh, also affirmed that the Abia APC has emerged more united and better positioned for future electoral victories.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, also expressed satisfaction with the successful conduct of the congress, noting that the outcome signalled a new era for the party in Abia State.
He emphasised that no individual could lay claim to the ownership of the party, urging the new leadership to build an inclusive structure capable of delivering victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Speaking with journalists, Chukwu disclosed that his administration would immediately embark on an aggressive membership drive aimed at increasing the party’s strength from about 160,000 to over 500,000 members within the next two months.
He added that the newly elected executive would also commence solidarity visits to key party stakeholders who were absent from the congress, with a view to addressing grievances and reconciling aggrieved members.
According to him, unity, inclusiveness, and expansion of the party’s base would remain top priorities of his administration as the APC prepares for future political contests in the state.
With the successful conduct of the congress and the emergence of a new leadership, political observers believe the Abia APC is entering a new phase marked by renewed cohesion, strategic rebuilding, and a stronger push for electoral success in the years ahead.
