Drama As APC Counters Judge, Insists Wike’s Strong Is Party’s Chairman

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed its support for the Tony Okocha-led Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, despite recent legal challenges.

Okocha is a top loyalists of former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike who is also the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

APC’s decision to still recognise Okocha comes shortly after the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt overturned the removal of the Emeka Beke-led executive of the APC in the state.

Presiding over the case, Justice Sika Aprioku ruled that the NWC had overstepped its authority by dissolving the elected executive, stating that it lacked the power to do so while the executive’s tenure was still ongoing. The court also declared that the establishment of a caretaker committee under these circumstances was improper.

However, following a Thursday meeting, APC Deputy National Secretary Festus Fuanter countered the court’s decision, asserting that the ruling does not bind the party. He explained that the court case only involved the APC’s national chairman and secretary, not the party itself, and therefore, the judgment does not apply to the APC as an entity.

Fuanter further highlighted that there is an existing and enforceable court judgment against Chief Emeka Beke and former Rivers State APC legal adviser Iheanyichukwu Azubuike, which resulted in their removal from office. He also noted that this judgment has been appealed by Beke and is currently before the Court of Appeal. In light of these developments, the APC continues to recognize the Okocha-led Caretaker Committee as the legitimate body overseeing the party’s affairs in Rivers State.