The Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairmen has commended the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for its intervention in the leadership tussle that has plagued the Rivers State chapter of the party.
They also lauded the party’s decision to extend the tenure of the Rivers Caretaker Committee, headed by Chief Tony Okocha.
It can be recalled that in August, the Rivers State High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, reinstated Emeka Beke to lead the party in the state, in a ruling against Okocha, who had been leading the party in a caretaker capacity for several months.
Despite the judgment by Justice Sika Aprioku, which barred Okocha and members of the Caretaker Committee from parading themselves as executives in the state, the party’s NWC backed the Rivers Caretaker Committee and extended its tenure by six months.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday at a press conference held at the APC headquarters in Abuja, the State Chairmen commended the party leadership for standing by Tony Okocha.
The Secretary of the Forum and APC Cross River State Chairman, Alphonsus Ogar, speaking on behalf of the group, praised the achievements of Chief Tony Okocha’s leadership over the past few months, describing the Rivers State chapter as one of the most active in the country.
Reading the statement he co-signed with the Acting Chairman of the Forum and party Lagos State Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi, the Forum noted: “To the blind and deaf, the activities of Chief Tony Okocha’s leadership in the past seven months have not only made the Rivers State APC chapter one of the most active, resilient, and vibrant chapters but have also given a new lease of life to the doldrums, docility, and chicanery that once pervaded the political landscape of the APC in Rivers State prior to the 2023 general election.
“As a Forum, we have therefore resolved to join our voices in commending the decision of the National Working Committee in this regard, even as we pledge to continue our dialogue with them to grow our democratic ethos, build cohesion, and bring lasting peace to every chapter of our party where there are unresolved issues.”
The Forum further explained that it reviewed the situation that nearly cost the party its electoral fortune in Rivers State during the presidential election. It deliberated on the major actors whose contributions led to the party’s victory in the 2023 Presidential Election.
“Their sincere, honest, and conscientious belief in the principle of fair play and power rotation between the North and South motivated them to give their full moral, financial, and total support to the candidacy of our esteemed President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. This not only ensured the victory of our President but also made Rivers State the only state in the entire South-South region of the country where our party won the 2023 Presidential Election,” the Forum explained.
The Forum further extended commendations to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, for his efforts in infrastructural development and security measures in the FCT.
“The Forum wishes to use this medium to commend him (Wike) and to express our deep appreciation and solidarity for his distinctive and excellent delivery as Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Forum added.
Additionally, they expressed their condolences to the family of the late APC Oyo State chapter chairman, Barr. Isaac Omodewu, who traveled to the USA for a medical trip and passed away on August 18.
