By Dr. Buchi Nnaji

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has tapped a familiar face to steady its ship in Enugu State. Dr. Ben Nwoye, a lawyer, former state APC chairman and political organiser was last week appointed chairman of a seven-member caretaker committee charged with rebuilding the party in the state. The national party’s decision to dissolve the old executive and reconstitute leadership with Nwoye at the helm signals a clear shift toward reconciliation, strategy and an aggressive push to expand APC’s footprint in Enugu. 

Nwoye is not new to Enugu politics. He previously led the APC in the state, and even after stepping away at various points he remained a prominent political operator, founding a cross-party platform called The Progressives to promote governance reforms and draw in actors from across party lines. That background helps explain why the national leadership returned to him now: he combines organisational experience, a public profile and a capacity to speak to voters beyond strict party lines.

Within days of his inauguration, Nwoye has signalled a conciliatory, results-focused agenda. He moved quickly to nullify suspensions imposed by the previous state executive and called for an end to punitive internal politics - a practical step designed to restore local structures and get grassroots organisers working together again. Those moves are meant to remove short-term obstacles to campaigning and to send a message that the APC wants a broad, working coalition in Enugu. 

Perhaps the most consequential dimension of Nwoye’s appointment is timing. State reporting and party briefings suggest that Governor Peter Mbah, long a dominant PDP figure in Enugu, is expected to cross to the APC, bringing lawmakers and local officials with him. Nwoye has publicly welcomed the prospect, framing it as an opportunity to end Enugu’s decade-long status as an opposition state and to “usher in a new era of political inclusion.” If those defections materialise, the APC would not merely strengthen its numbers; it would gain credibility across constituencies that were previously hard to reach. 

Three practical effects of Nwoye’s stewardship stand out:

1. Rebuilding grassroots capacity. Nullifying internal suspensions and re-engaging local leaders immediately removes organisational friction - a prerequisite for candidate selection, voter mobilisation and volunteer recruitment. 

2. Political signalling. Appointing a familiar, widely recognised state operator signals seriousness to potential defectors and to voters tired of internecine party fights. It’s a message that APC intends to be competitive in the state. 

3. Coalition building. Nwoye’s record of cross-party outreach and his Progressives platform give him experience in forging working alliances - exactly what a party needs when trying to absorb high-profile figures and their followings.

Local APC groups and many former candidates have publicly endorsed the caretaker committee and praised Nwoye’s appointment as a step toward stability. Commentators who follow Enugu politics say the real test will be whether the committee can convert goodwill and defections into functioning ward-level structures and a compelling message for voters. A successful transition would require clear timelines for reconciliation, transparent mechanisms for candidate selection, and rapid rebuilding of the party machinery at the local level.

Appointing Dr. Ben Nwoye is a pragmatic, politically shrewd move by the APC national leadership. It addresses two immediate problems at once: internal fragmentation and the need to capitalise on a rare opportunity to broaden the party’s base in Enugu. Nwoye’s strengths - organisational experience, public visibility and a willingness to pursue cross-party engagement, match the task at hand. That said, appointment alone won’t guarantee success; delivering on unity, turning defections into durable alliances and restoring effective grassroots operations will be the measures by which his tenure is judged.

If Nwoye can translate early momentum into functioning structures and a credible local strategy, his return could mark the beginning of a meaningful recalibration for the APC in Enugu - from a party at odds with itself to a competitive force that can offer voters an alternative governance narrative.

Dr. Buchi Nnaji holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. He is a prolific writer, political commentator, and public affairs analyst based in Enugu, Nigeria.

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