The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Emeka Beke, the faction loyal to the former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, has declared interest in participating in the October 5 Local Government elections.
The party disclosed that it has submitted the names of its candidates for the various positions, expressing support for the polls.
This, however, is against the position of the Tony Okocha-led APC, which will boycott the election, citing litigation issues.
The party, in a statement by its media team, made its position known in a letter to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), INEC Headquarters, Abuja, titled “Re: Position of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) on the forthcoming Local Government Election in Rivers State vis-à-vis the Judgement in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/987/2024.”
A statement signed by the Chairman of APC Rivers State, Chief Emeka Beke, and State Secretary, Hon. Sam Sam Etetegwung, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, recalled that following an attempt by some members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress to displace the duly elected State Executive Committee of the Rivers State Chapter by purporting to have dissolved the Executive Committee and replaced it with a caretaker committee led by Chief Tony Okocha, the elected State Executive Committee approached the High Court of Rivers State in Suit No. PHC/3592/CS/2023 (between Sam Sam Etetegwung and Abdullahi Ganduje & Ors) and Suit No. PHC/3735/CS/2023 (between Chief Barnax Ezeboy Enyi & Ors and All Progressives Congress & Ors).
The statement noted that in a judgement, the High Court of Rivers State, presided over by Hon. Justice S. H. Aprioku, affirmed the validity and subsistence of the Beke-led Executive Committee until 2025.
It further added that the court also set aside the purported caretaker committee of Chief Tony Okocha and declared that the duly elected State Executive Committee (as led by Chief Emeka Beke) is the authentic leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State.
The statement also stated that the party was aware that the Federal High Court, presided over by Hon. Justice Peter Lifu, delivered a judgement in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024.
It further stated that it is equally aware that on the 4th day of September 2024, the High Court of Rivers State, presided over by Hon. Justice I. P. C. Igwe, in Suit No. PHC/2696/CS/2024 between Action Peoples Party (APP) and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, had given a judgement compelling the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to proceed with the local government election scheduled for October 5, 2024, or any other date of its choice.
It noted that the judgement, being first-in-time to the later judgement in FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024, takes precedence, cognisant of the fact that when two equities are equal, the first in time prevails.
The statement said: “We, however, hereby notify you that Chief Tony Okocha, who filed that suit purportedly as ‘Chairman, Caretaker Committee’ of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State Chapter, is an impostor and totally unknown to the Rivers Chapter of the All Progressives Congress. He is neither the Chairman nor a leader in any capacity whatsoever. He (Chief Tony Okocha) does not also have the authority of the leadership of the party in Rivers State as constituted under Chief Emeka Beke to file or maintain the said suit on its behalf.
“We are equally aware that on the 4th day of September 2024, the High Court of Rivers State, per Hon. Justice I. P. C. Igwe, in Suit No. PHC/2696/CS/2024 between Action Peoples Party (APP) and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, has given a judgement compelling the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to proceed with the local government election scheduled for October 5, 2024, or any other date of its choice. That judgment, being first-in-time to the later judgment in FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024, takes precedence. As we all know, when two equities are equal, the first in time prevails.
“Under the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, all issues relating to participation in the local government elections are within the authority of the State Executive Committee, and so, it is the Executive Committee, as led by Chief Emeka Beke, that determines whether and how the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress is to participate in the forthcoming local government elections in Rivers State.
“What matters is that the Supreme Court of Nigeria has already ordered the Government of Rivers State to conduct local government elections in Rivers State within three months of judgement; hence, the Federal High Court cannot lawfully overrule the Supreme Court by stopping the holding of the said election.
“It is on the above premise that we write to notify you and your commission (INEC) that the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress totally supports the holding of the local government elections in Rivers State on October 5, 2024. The Party is participating in the elections and has indeed submitted the names of its candidates for the various positions.”
The statement further reiterated that the judgement in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 does not represent the interests of the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress and accordingly distanced itself from the suit and judgement.
It further urged the public and institutions to discountenance the rantings and antics of Tony Okocha and his cohorts and fully participate in the October 5 local government election in the state.
