…calls for the dissolution of the party structure for new officials
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has lauded the presidential statement recognizing Governor Sim Fubara, who just joined the President's party, as an authentic leader of the party.
The APC has two factions in Rivers State, one led by Beke and recognized by two High Court judgments, the other led by Tony Okocha and supported by the FCT minister and former National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. Now, the current national leadership of the party appears to be either neutral or supportive of the court-recognized faction.
Reacting to the presidential position, the Beke-led faction said it is grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for sticking to the party constitution/convention by affirming the governor’s position through his Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala.
Party spokesperson in the state, Darlington Nwaju, said: “This clarification by the President has once again reaffirmed our uncompromising stance on this matter and aligns with the policy thrust of our national party leadership under Nentwe Yilawatada and Ajibola Basiru.
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“We therefore commend the sincerity of Mr. President in sticking to the party management direction that allows APC governors to lead the party at the state level for the sake of party unity and efficiency.”
The statement said this timely reaffirmation vindicates the position of the Rivers State APC as the leader of the party in Rivers State holding the position of the State Governor (Fubara) and should correct any false or misleading narrative being spread by political jobbers.
“Flowing from the above, we once again condemn in totality, the opinions and suggestions given by Felix Morka on the impeachment process against the Governor of Rivers State and his deputy as contrary to the basic essence of the party membership.”
Nwaju reminded the NWC of the existing court judgments on the Rivers APC leadership (Suit No. PHC/3592/CS/2023 and Suit No. PHC/3859/CS/2024) and requested that the Congress immediately set out to elect a new set of leadership for the party at the ward, LGA and state levels to reconcile all competing interests.
“Finally, we request that the Governor and our party leaders immediately convene a meeting of stakeholders to give our party a direction to move forward.”
There has been no statement yet from the Okocha-led faction of the party.
