By Sunny A. David, Awka
The Secretary of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Hon. Paul Onuachalla, has emphasized the urgent need for discipline, institutional respect, and effective communication within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), particularly between party managers and grassroots stakeholders.
Onuachalla, a pioneer member of APGA in Anambra State, made his position known on Wednesday in a statement titled “The Need for Party Discipline and Respect for Stakeholders,” which was made available to newsmen in Onitsha.
He was reacting to a publication authored by Mr. Onunkwo Kizzito, a State officer of the party in Onitsha South LGA. The publication, which was circulated across several WhatsApp platforms, reportedly announced the cancellation of a previously scheduled stakeholders’ meeting without prior consultation or official communication with the affected local government leadership.
According to Onuachalla, the publication accused Onitsha South stakeholders and the Mayor of the Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Emeka Joseph Orji, of “indiscipline.” He described the allegation as unfounded and procedurally flawed.
“My attention has been drawn to a publication by Mr. Onunkwo Kizzito, a State officer of our great party, circulated across several WhatsApp groups,” Onuachalla stated. “It is important to clarify that this publication first appeared on the New APGA Interactive Platform at about 5:26 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, and was personally posted by the author. Notably, Rt. Hon. Emeka Joseph Orji did not participate in the stakeholders’ meeting held on February 9, 2026, at the Onitsha South Local Government Council Headquarters.”
Providing further clarification, Onuachalla confirmed that a stakeholders’ meeting had been duly scheduled for February 9 at the council headquarters in line with party guidelines. However, he noted that, at the eleventh hour, rumours began circulating via WhatsApp messages claiming that the meeting had been cancelled.
He argued that the purported cancellation lacked legitimacy, as there was no formal communication from the party hierarchy to the Local Government leadership, the Mayor, or LGA party executives confirming such a decision.
“There is no evidence that the source of the purported cancellation represented the official position of the party. No written directive, no formal notification, and no structured communication were issued to the host Local Government or its leadership,” he said.
Onuachalla further disclosed that additional rumours later emerged suggesting possible manipulation of the process. According to him, no clarification was provided by party officials to dispel the confusion or properly guide stakeholders.
“In the absence of clear direction and in order to prevent a leadership vacuum at the grassroots, the Onitsha South stakeholders were compelled to invoke the doctrine of necessity and proceed with their recommendations,” he explained.
He maintained that the stakeholders’ actions should not be misconstrued as defiance or indiscipline, but rather seen as a responsible response to a communication breakdown by party managers.
Onuachalla stressed that political parties thrive on structure, consultation, and mutual respect, warning that unilateral decisions and reliance on informal communication channels undermine internal democracy and weaken institutional cohesion.
He called on party leaders at all levels to strengthen internal communication mechanisms, respect established procedures, and recognize the strategic importance of grassroots stakeholders in sustaining party unity and electoral success.
According to him, the situation in Onitsha South clearly reflected a breakdown in communication between party managers and local stakeholders.
“A simple two-line notice on party letterheaded paper, duly signed and dated by an authorised officer, would have effectively addressed the fears and confusion of stakeholders,” he said.
He added that the manner in which the cancellation was communicated demonstrated little regard for stakeholders and showed disregard for the office of the Mayor, who was the official host of the meeting.
The cancellation, he noted, came after extensive preparations had already been made, resulting in public embarrassment to the people of Onitsha and to the Mayor, who had committed significant resources toward hosting the event.
“It is both sad and disheartening that in a structured political organisation, where the Mayor is not only a critical stakeholder but also a major supporter of the party, the office could be treated with such neglect,” he stated.
Under the circumstances, Onuachalla said party managers should show responsibility by tendering an apology to aggrieved stakeholders whose confidence had been shaken by the belated cancellation.
He also observed that the same publication announced the disqualification of Dr. Emeka Anienonam, leaving the party with only three qualified candidates to join the incumbent in the next stage of the process.
According to him, such information was not too sensitive to be formally and transparently communicated to stakeholders, rather than being casually introduced through an informal publication.
“Party discipline is a two-way obligation,” he said. “While stakeholders must remain loyal to party structures, party managers must equally respect stakeholders, uphold clear communication, and act in a manner that strengthens unity rather than breeds resentment.”
Reaffirming his stance, Onuachalla referenced the governor’s guiding principle: “If it is not written, it does not exist,” noting that he strongly aligns with that position.
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