The leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the three senatorial zones of Enugu State have commenced intense lobbying for the ministerial slot of the state in the yet-to-be constituted cabinet of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The situation has further deepened the crisis rocking the party in the state.

 At the moment, no fewer than five leaders of the party in the state have either directly shown interest or used a subterfuge to lobby for the position with each advancing reasons for being the best man for the job.

 CEOAFRICA source  revealed that while the party leaders in Enugu North senatorial zone are angling for the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the April 11 election,  Mr. Okey Ezea from Nsukka zone as the most qualified to be so appointed as minister, Ezea’s running mate,  Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku is also eyeing the slot.

Other party leaders including the state chairman, Ben Nwoye,  state secretary, Gen. Chris Eze, a member of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Gen. J.O.J. Okoloagu, as well as the party’s National Vice-Chairman,  South-east, Emma Eneukwu are also lobbying for the position.

But, a political pressure group in the state, Enugu Renaissance Initiative (ERI) yesterday joined the fray insisting that a former Secretary to the State Government and a renowned transport magnet,  Chief Onyemuche Nnamani remained the most suitable to be appointed as a minister from the state.

The group in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Dr Maxwell Ndu and made available to journalists, noted that Nnamani remains one of the most outstanding leaders of the party in the state having invested in the party even when most people of the state never believed in the candidacy of Buhari.

“The record is there and it speaks volume.  When most of these people who are today jostling for ministerial appointment were falling on themselves to lead the campaign of former President Goodluck Jonathan,  Nnamani was busy galvanising support for the General and today it has paid off and all those food-is-ready politicians are back and lobbying for appointment, “ Ndu noted.

He therefore urged the president to be careful with the characters milling around Abuja in search of appointments but to look inwards and ensure that square pegs are placed in square holes.

However, APC in Nsukka zone, led by the zonal chairman, Mr.  Emecheta Ugwu and the six party chairmen from the councils that make up the zone have appealed to President Buhari to consider the zone in the appointment of a minister from the state expressing dismay that since 1999, the zone had not produced a minister. Ugwu, who addressed newsmen at the party’s secretariat in Enugu said that for purposes of justice, equity and good governance which are the main pillars upon which the APC stands, Nsukka’s plea should not be overlooked. They specifically made case for Ezea to be appointed.

“We urge our party leaders in the state to stand solidly behind Ezea to ensure that our party stands united and stronger.  He remains the best candidate for the job having been the flagbearer of the party in the last election and remains the strongest pillar in the building and sustenance of the party in the state,” they noted.

Reminded that the governor of the state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi hails from Nsukka zone,  Ugwu said it had been the norm in the state that any zone occupying the governorship usually produced the minister.

“When Chimaraoke Nnamani from Enugu-East was the governor, the then minister, Frank Nweke equally came from the same zone. When Chime was governor, Udi also produced the two ministers. This time around, we should also produce the minister,” he said.

Source : Thisday