JUST IN: Rivers APC Faction Urges Fubara to Convene Party Stakeholders’ Meeting

A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has asked Governor Siminalayi Fubara to urgently convene a meeting of party stakeholders.

The group said the meeting is necessary to set a clear direction for the party, following recent clarifications on the leadership structure of the APC in the state.

Politics Nigeria reports that the call was made by the faction led by Chief Emeka Beke. It was contained in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Friday by Mr Dalington Nwauju, the faction’s State Publicity Secretary.

According to the group, recent developments have settled lingering questions over who should lead the party in Rivers State. They believe this creates an opportunity for unity and proper coordination within the APC.

The faction’s position followed comments credited to Presidential spokesman, Daniel Bwala, during a television appearance. Bwala stated that President Bola Tinubu recognises every sitting governor as the leader of his party in the state, regardless of whether the governor belongs to the APC or the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.

Bwala also said the President would not tolerate any attempt to hinder Governor Fubara from carrying out his constitutional duties. He added that while Tinubu rewards loyalty, he frowns at actions that amount to intimidation or political overreach.

Reacting to the remarks, Nwauju praised President Tinubu for what he described as a firm clarification on party leadership. He said the President’s stance supported the position the Beke-led faction has consistently maintained since Fubara aligned with the APC.

He said, “We are grateful to the President and Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency President Bola Tinubu, leader of the APC in Nigeria, for sticking to our party constitution and convention by reaffirming the position of the governor through his Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala.”

Nwauju said the President’s intervention had reinforced the party’s internal rules and validated their earlier arguments.

“This presidential clarification has once again vindicated our uncompromising stand on this matter and aligns with the policy thrust of our national party leadership under Prof Nentawe Yilwatda and Senator (Dr) Ajibola Basiru,” he added.

He further commended Tinubu for what he described as respect for party structure and discipline.

“We therefore commend the sincerity of Mr President and Commander-in-Chief in adhering to party management direction, which allows APC governors to lead the party at the state level to engineer mobilisation, cohesion and efficiency.”

Nwauju insisted that the position of Governor Fubara as leader of the APC in Rivers State should no longer be in doubt.

“This timely reaffirmation justifies the position of Rivers State APC on the status of the state governor, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, as leader of our party in Rivers State, and should correct any false or misleading narratives being peddled by political jobbers,” he said.

Based on this, the faction formally appealed to the governor to act without delay.

“We request that the governor and leader of our party immediately convene a stakeholders’ meeting to give our party direction going forward.”

The statement also revisited internal disagreements within the party at the national level. Nwauju restated his demand for the resignation of the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.

He accused Morka of making comments that undermined the party during the impeachment moves against Governor Fubara and his deputy by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Flowing from the above, we once more condemn in totality the opinion offered by Mr Felix Morka on the impeachment process against the Governor of Rivers State and his deputy, as his opinion and suggestions contradict the core essence of party membership,” Nwauju said.

He argued that Morka failed in his duty to protect the party’s image and internal stability.

“We hope that Mr Morka elects to display his democratic credentials by stepping down from his role as National Publicity Secretary of our great party for failing to protect organisational objectives as an image maker.”

The faction also reminded the APC National Working Committee of ongoing legal disputes surrounding the Rivers State party leadership.

“We further remind the National Working Committee of our great party of subsisting court decisions over Rivers APC leadership (Suit No. PHC/3592/CS/2023 and Suit No. PHC/3859/CS/2024) and request that congresses to elect new leadership at the ward, local government and state levels be scheduled immediately to harmonise all contending interests,” the statement added.

However, the APC in Rivers State remains divided into two major factions. One faction is led by Chief Emeka Beke, while the other is led by Chief Tony Okocha, which currently enjoys recognition from the party’s national leadership.

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