See How APC Shared Party Structure In Rivers Between Amaechi, Wike Loyalists

See How APC Shared Party Structure In Rivers Between Amaechi, Wike Loyalists

The recently appointed Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee seems to reflect a balance between loyalists of former Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, and supporters of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

While Amaechi is a member of the APC, Wike officially belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Despite his party affiliation, Wike is believed to wield influence in the APC in the state due to his position as a minister in the APC-led federal government.

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The APC National Working Committee (NWC) dissolved the crisis-ridden leadership of the party in Rivers State and appointed a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee its affairs for six months. The committee members include Tony Okocha (Chairman), Eric Nwibani (Secretary), Chibuike Ikenga, Stephen Abolo, Silvester Vidin, Senibo Dan-Jumbo, and Darling Amadi.

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Notably, Tony Okocha, appointed as the committee chairman, is known to be a supporter of Wike, despite their different political affiliations. Okocha, a former Chief of Staff to Amaechi, has been critical of his former boss and has actively advocated for Wike’s defection to the APC.

This appointment has led to speculations about the APC preparing the grounds for Wike’s defection, as Okocha, now in charge of the APC structure in Rivers State, may work towards facilitating Wike’s entry into the party.

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In contrast, the selection of Eric Nwibani, a staunch supporter of Mr. Amaechi, as the secretary of the caretaker committee is perceived by observers as an attempt at achieving balance.

Nwibani, who contested for a seat in the House of Representatives in the last election, is affiliated with the Chibuike Amaechi (CRA) political bloc in the state.

Chibuike Ikenga, another ally of Mr. Amaechi, served as the former caretaker chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, the hometown of the former transport minister.

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Since 2018, the Rivers State chapter of the APC has been embroiled in crises. In that year, the Federal High Court invalidated both the direct and indirect primaries conducted by two factions of the party in the state. These factions conducted parallel primaries, leading to the emergence of two sets of candidates. The Supreme Court later affirmed the nullification of all APC candidates in the state.

This situation paved the way for Mr. Wike’s smooth re-election for a second term as a PDP governor in 2019. The APC faced a similar challenge in 2022 during the lead-up to the 2023 general elections. The pro-Amaechi faction once again produced Mr. Cole as its candidate, prompting some disgruntled aspirants to seek legal redress. The Court of Appeal intervened to ensure the APC’s presence on the ballot in Rivers State.

However, after the general elections, the party plunged into another crisis as some members of the state executive committee suspended Emeka Beke, the state party chairman, along with Iheanyichukwu Azubuike, legal adviser, and Darlington Nwauju, publicity secretary. Omiete Eferebo, the deputy chairman of the APC, assumed control of the party, and his supporters obtained a court order restraining Mr. Beke from acting as the chairman of the APC in Rivers State.

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