Wike, Amaechi rivalry resurfaces as Rivers APC factions bicker over LG elections

As the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) grapples with internal strife, divisions between factions loyal to former Governor Rotimi Amaechi and those aligned with former caretaker committee chairman Chief Tony Okocha continue to intensify ahead of the upcoming local government elections.

During a press briefing at the APC Secretariat along Aba Road in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Okocha, an ally of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, declared his intention to challenge the council poll’s legitimacy.

He criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara for proceeding with the election despite existing court orders that mandated a 90-day preparation period for all parties involved. “The governor and whatever action taken are illegal; we will stand with the law; we will not take the laws into our hands; but we will not allow him to perpetuate illegality,” Okocha asserted.

Conversely, Chief Emeke Beke, reinstated state chairman loyal to Amaechi, countered Okocha’s claims, affirming that the party was fully prepared for the elections.

At a gathering at the party’s secretariat on Woji Road in GRA, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Beke presented flags to candidates for the upcoming election, stating, “Today is a great day for the APC in Rivers State. I hear some people somewhere saying we will not participate in this election. We, the APC under my leadership, will participate in this Saturday’s election.”

Beke also called on law enforcement to prevent any disruptions during the electoral process, emphasizing the need for peace.

“Rivers State was a theatre of war during the former administration. Now we have a governor who has the fear of God and wants to conduct free, fair and credible elections in Rivers State. Nobody should cause problems in this state. If you cause problems, the security agencies will chase you to your hole,” he warned.

He further asserted, “The election will take place on Saturday. There is no court judgment stopping it because there was a state High Court judgment before that of the Federal High Court, and they are of coordinate jurisdiction. There is no tension anywhere. We know that some people will want to play the script of their masters, but Rivers’ people are bigger than them.”

When questioned about Amaechi’s current status as the leader of the APC in Rivers State, Beke confirmed, “There is no way you will talk about the politics of Rivers State with the APC without Amaechi. With the election, we are proving to Rivers people and Nigeria that Amaechi is still strong and a member of the APC.”