Innocent Nwata, the youth leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra, has petitioned the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, over his alleged unlawful removal.

Nwanta, who addressed journalists on Sunday, accused Basil Ejidike, chairman of the party in the state, of victimisation.

He claimed he had been unlawfully removed by the chairman, even though both of them were elected during the same congress.

He alleged that his removal may not be unconnected to the recent defection of Senator Stella Oduah back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while he stayed back.

His petition read: “It is on record that APC Anambra State Chapter on 30th January 2022 held her state congress, where members of the current State Executive Committee, including the State Chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike, were elected.

“I, Hon Innocent Nwanta, was elected the State APC Youth Leader, and were subsequently inaugurated at the Party Secretariat, Amenyi Awka. The summary of the result sheet of the state congress is hereby attached for your kind perusal sir.”

He further told journalists that it was surprising, and embarrassing to him that the chairman, who also benefited from the same congress, would turn around and remove him for no reason.

“He stopped inviting me to State Executive meetings and sundry party functions and has unjustly removed and replaced me with one of his errand boys, one Mr. Jideofor Ejimofor.

“For record purposes, your Excellency, I am a bonafide APC member (attached herewith is my party membership card), with number An/Ogb/16/57524. I am an indigene of Ogbaru and a voter in Iyiowa/Odekpe/Ohita ward.”

Nwanta begged Adamu to use his office to correct the injustice and to prevail on the state chairman of the party to reinstate him.

He added that the fear that he may be a blackleg in the party does not arise as he refused to join Senator Oduah to leave the party when she left; instead opted to remain in APC and has worked tirelessly for the success of the party.

Several attempts by DAILY POST to get a reaction from Mr Ejidike were not successful as calls to his mobile phone were not answered.