NEWISSUES
A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, on Saturday, warned the Rivers State chapter of the party against making unfounded claims and casting aspersions on the person of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Eze’s warning comes after the party’s caretaker committee chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, alleged that Amaechi plans to use the party to fight President Tinubu in 2027.
Eze, a close ally of Amaechi, described Okocha’s claims as “smear campaigns” aimed at tarnishing Amaechi’s reputation.
He stressed that Amaechi has never struggled for power and is not interested in fighting Tinubu.
Eze also referenced a recent court judgment that reinstated the democratically elected executive committee of the Rivers APC, led by Chief Emeka Beke, which Okocha had claimed was part of Amaechi’s plan to control the party. Eze argued that the court’s decision was clear and comprehensive, leaving no room for appeal.
The APC chieftain reminded Okocha that Amaechi was appointed South-South leader of the party at its formation, alongside Tinubu as national leader, and that this leadership structure remains unchanged. Eze called on Okocha to focus on building the party rather than engaging in unnecessary tussles.
“The Court was of the view that the appointment of agent Okocha and his collaborators by Ganduje was ultra vires and in gross violation of the party’s Constitution.
“Beyond being ultra vires of the APC Constitution, the High Court was also clear on its stand about the unlawful appointment of a makeshift committee to replace a democratically elected Executive Committee of the state chapter on the unsubstantiated allegation of anti-party conduct at the 2023 polls, as same was in clear breach of the right of the reinstated party officials to fair hearing as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and therefore cannot stand.
” This very rare judgment is not the type that can be overturned at appeal,” he said.
The development highlights the ongoing internal struggles within the Rivers APC, with factions loyal to Amaechi and Okocha vying for control. The party’s national leadership has yet to comment on the matter.
