…Credits ex-caretaker chairman with repositioning party, attracting governor
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Dr. Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor, has said the immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in the state, Dr. Ben Nwoye, fundamentally changed the political narrative of the APC and rescued it from decline.
Speaking with journalists in Enugu on Wednesday in the aftermath of the party’s congresses, Dr. Okafor described Nwoye as a formidable grassroots politician whose leadership stabilised and repositioned the party at a critical moment.
According to him, the former caretaker chairman took a bold political risk that eventually transformed the fortunes of the APC in the state by facilitating the smooth entry of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah into the party.
“I thank God for the gift of Dr. Ben Nwoye to APC in Enugu State. At a time when the party was drifting and heading towards collapse, he stepped in decisively. He took what many considered a huge political risk by reaching out to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to join the APC. Many doubted the move and described it as impossible, but he remained focused and intentional about what the party needed to survive and grow,” Okafor said.
He noted that Nwoye committed his time, energy, and personal resources to the project of rebuilding the party, adding that his efforts have earned him a place in the political history of the state.
“As someone who had worked tirelessly for the party over the years, he understood that certain challenges were temporary and that strategic alignment was necessary for Enugu to connect to the centre. He worked relentlessly and achieved that goal. It is not an exaggeration to say he has rewritten the political narrative of the APC in Enugu,” he added.
Okafor also commended Nwoye’s inclusive leadership style, which he said ensured that members were carried along throughout the transition process that culminated in the successful ward, local government, and state congresses.
“For the first time in the state, the APC enjoyed positive engagement from the media and other political actors. That was not by accident. It was because the party had a leader who understood grassroots mobilisation, dialogue, and reconciliation. He engaged widely, responded to issues with maturity, and rebuilt confidence in the party,” he stated.
On the future of the former caretaker chairman, Okafor expressed the view that Nwoye would be well-suited for a national assignment within the party, given his experience and understanding of APC politics at both state and national levels.
He pointed out that as a former state chairman, foundation member of the party, and former secretary of the Forum of APC State Chairmen, Nwoye possesses the institutional knowledge required to contribute meaningfully at the national stage.
“He understands the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the development roadmap being pursued in Enugu State. He has the capacity to represent the state effectively at the national level and further strengthen the party’s structure. That is my personal opinion as a foundation member and stakeholder in the party,” Okafor said.
He also praised Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for the confidence reposed in Nwoye during his tenure as caretaker chairman, despite opposition from certain quarters.
According to him, the governor’s decision to support Nwoye’s leadership demonstrated trust, reciprocity, and a commitment to unity — qualities he said define strong and visionary leadership.
