By Ignatius Chukwu
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has continued to generate contention, and the Emeka Beke-led executives (elected and upheld by the court) has raised alarm over alleged impersonation.
It said on Saturday, September 21, 2024, that Tony Okocha, caretaker chairman that was dethroned by the court but still recognized by the national working committee (NWC) of the party, has continued to act as a chairman and leader of the party in Rivers State.
At a press conference at the weekend, Beke said their attention has been drawn to a social media post titled “Gov Sim and Judicial Pronouncements; Make hay while the sun shines’.
The statement said Okocha, “Whose stock in trade has led them to perdition, having been identified as like the children of Noah who intended to deceive and mislead their father at all times.
“Ordinarily, as the duly elected executives of the party in Rivers State, we couldn’t have given credence to this litany of no truth statement, but for the reading public who the said Okocha’s antics, could sway very easily by things we considered to be very unreasonable. Hence, this rejoinder, to state categorically, that the above-mentioned group of persons can not speak for Rivers State APC.
“It is obvious, evident, and on records that in several fora, the said Martin Amaewhule and others publicly defected from the PDP to the APC and they were hosted to a reception ceremony by the said Okocha who claimed to be the then CTC Chairman of Rivers State APC. Therefore, they cannot make a U-turn in the midnight and yet be celebrated by the same Tony Okocha, who they are now denying.”
The press statement added that: “It is noteworthy that all the judgments referred to by the impersonators have not been dealt with on the merit of the defection and the declaration of their seats vacant by the then Speaker, Rt Hon Edison Ehie. And nothing shall by any means restore their status as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly. Unless the court decides otherwise.
“It is worrisome to note that even the faction of the Rivers State PDP led by Wike has not issued any statement concerning the said much celebrated judgment by the said Tony Okocha and his co-travellers, who are on a fishy expedition, which has certainly led them to political extinction. Even though we are aware of the hands of Esau (Wike) and the voice of Jacob (Tony), which is the script Tony Okocha is playing, we are still mindful and totally aligned ourselves to the statement made by the governor of Bauchi State, HE Bala Mohamed, wherein, he referred to Wike as a member of PDP and APC. Yet the said Wike is not ashamed of that public negative abuse.”
On whether Gov. Sim Fubara is working in Rivers State, Beke group said: “We make bold to say Yes. Since we cannot count the numerous developmental projects that are both completed and ongoing, including empowerment and the security of lives and properties, we hereby invite those living outside Rivers State to come and see things for themselves and thereafter, testify.
“We further submit that the whole statement made by the impersonators is tantamount to a complete fabrication, fictitious, and absolutely irresponsible without any foundational reason. It is obvious that Wike, Martin, and others, having realised that they have goofed and in an attempt to right their wrong, little did they know, that they have lost the centre of their gravity while descending from declivity and they precipitated on macadamized thoroughfare.
“We, hereby, urge and advice, the public, particularly the media houses, who are in the habit of addressing the sacked Tony Okocha as the CTC Chairman of APC in Rivers State despite a subsisting court judgment which restrained him, to stop forthwith and see Tony Okocha and his cohorts as individuals who are suffering from superficial sentimentalities and not representing Rivers State APC, unless the media houses are telling us that they have sat as an appeal court and set aside the judgment of the Rivers State High Court. This warning has become of essence because it is said that “A Stitch in Time, Saves Nine.”
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