A renowned academic and political analyst, Professor Chinedu Nwankwo, has criticised the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South East over the invitation of two non-APC governors to a core zonal stakeholders’ meeting, describing the move as a serious strategic misstep.

Speaking on Saturday in Enugu, Prof. Nwankwo faulted the decision to invite Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, and Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to the Expanded South East Zonal Stakeholders Meeting of the APC scheduled to hold at the Presidential Hotel, Enugu.

According to him, the meeting was meant to be an internal party engagement and should have been restricted to APC leaders and stakeholders within the zone.

“This is a core APC affair, not a political carnival,” Nwankwo said. “Inviting sitting governors who are not members of the APC as special guests to a strategic party meeting raises serious questions about confidence and direction within the South East APC leadership.”

The professor, who hails from Arochukwu in Abia State, said the move could undermine party cohesion and send the wrong signal to loyal party members across the region.

He recalled events surrounding the 2025 Anambra governorship election, arguing that internal divisions within the party at the time weakened its electoral prospects and should serve as a lesson for the leadership.

According to Nwankwo, the APC has the potential to grow and compete strongly in the South East if it remains focused on internal unity, grassroots mobilisation and adherence to party ideals.

“The APC does not need borrowed legitimacy,” he said. “Strong parties are built by discipline, internal loyalty and consistent engagement with their supporters.”

He further noted that if governors from other political parties wish to support the APC or align with the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the appropriate step would be an open and formal defection to the party.

“Politics should be transparent,” he said. “If there is alignment with the APC’s vision, it should be expressed clearly and officially.”

Prof. Nwankwo cautioned the South East APC leadership against allowing personal ambition or political calculations to override party discipline, warning that such trends could weaken the party from within.

He called on the APC national leadership to review developments in the zone and reinforce the party’s core values of loyalty, integrity and internal democracy.

In his concluding remarks, Nwankwo urged APC members across the South East to remain committed to rebuilding the party through unity, credibility and sustained grassroots engagement.

“The future of the APC in the South East depends on clarity of purpose and principled leadership,” he said.