Ahead of the Saturday, March 28, 2026 National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, Dr. Ben Nwoye has emerged as the consensus candidate for the position of Deputy National Chairman (South).
Nwoye, a former elected chairman and immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in Enugu State, had been widely tipped as the frontrunner for the position zoned to the state.
His emergence is said to have followed a series of high-level consultations reportedly guided by a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
A source at the party’s National Secretariat, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the consensus arrangement had already secured presidential approval ahead of the convention.
“The issue of Deputy National Chairman (South) of our great party has long been resolved,” the source said, adding that the zoning formula empowered governors to determine candidates for positions allocated to their respective states.
According to the source, rival contender Emma Eneukwu stood little chance under the arrangement, as governors were given the authority to decide who occupies such positions.
Describing Nwoye as an experienced and loyal party figure, the source noted that his candidacy enjoyed widespread acceptance within party ranks, particularly with the backing of Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
“Ben Nwoye is an astute party man. His candidacy was accepted with minimal resistance, especially as Governor Mbah remained firm in his support. This development once again demonstrates the APC’s ability to manage internal interests and maintain cohesion,” the source added.
It would be recalled that the race for the position had intensified amid alleged attempts by external interests to influence candidates for offices zoned to Enugu State.
However, party insiders revealed that Governor Mbah’s intervention helped solidify the decision among state stakeholders, effectively neutralising external pressures and clearing the path for Nwoye’s emergence.
