The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State is once again engulfed in turmoil, and at the center of the storm is Dr. Ben Nwoye, the outspoken former state chairman of the party. In recent weeks, Nwoye has been the subject of renewed attacks, ranging from subtle criticisms to outright opposition, from political rivals within the APC. This development has raised a pressing question: who is afraid of Ben Nwoye, and why?
For over a decade, Nwoye has remained a polarising figure in Enugu politics. As the pioneer chairman of the APC in the state, he successfully planted the party’s flag in a terrain long dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Whether admired or criticized, his fiery style of leadership ensured that the APC remained visible, even when it struggled to secure electoral victories. To his supporters, Nwoye symbolizes resilience and boldness; to his detractors, he is a stumbling block to their ambitions to take over the party’s structure.
The latest round of attacks is closely linked to speculations that Governor Peter Mbah may eventually align with the APC. Such a move would significantly alter Enugu’s political landscape, potentially giving the APC its first realistic shot at power since inception. However, it could also trigger a fierce struggle for dominance within the party. The camp led by the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji, reportedly fears that the governor’s entry would derail their ambitions.
In this context, Nwoye is seen as a major threat. His past leadership, grassroots connections, and ties to the APC’s national leadership give him an edge that cannot be easily dismissed. For some entrenched party interests, his continued relevance is a political inconvenience. The attacks against him are therefore less about his leadership style and more about neutralizing him ahead of the anticipated realignment.
Currently, two factions are most visible in the Enugu APC. On one side are those loyal to Chief Uche Nnaji and his allies, who worry that Nwoye’s resurgence could undermine their influence. On the other side are Nwoye’s supporters, who argue that without his bold voice and institutional memory, the APC risks being overshadowed by PDP defectors and reduced to a political appendage of Governor Mbah’s machinery.
Yet, one fact remains: no figure has given the APC a louder voice in Enugu than Ben Nwoye.
Observers warn that the real danger facing the APC is not Nwoye’s personality but the party’s chronic disunity. Should Governor Mbah eventually cross over, the APC will either seize the opportunity to consolidate power or crumble under internal rivalries. If the latter happens, the blame will fall not on one man, but on a political class too distracted by personal battles to recognize the bigger prize.
So, who’s afraid of Ben Nwoye? The answer lies not only in his actions but in what his continued presence represents, a reminder that in Enugu politics, power is never given; it is fiercely contested.
