The All Progressives Congress leadership in Rivers State has urged the National Working Committee not to disobey the court order that reinstated Chief Emeka Beke-led executive in the state.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, the state APC Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, offered this advice.
A Rivers State High Court under Justice Sika Aprioku had removed the Caretaker Committee of the APC in the state led by Chief Tony Okocha, stating that the party’s National Working Committee had the authority to dissolve an elected body while its tenure was ongoing.
Justice Aprioku also prohibited the Okocha-led CTC from interfering with the Beke state APC leadership until their four-year term expires.
In a news briefing in Port Harcourt, Okocha rejected the ruling, stating that the party would appeal to the Court of Appeal to regain its mandate.
Contrary to this, the APC NWC in Abuja on Thursday maintained its recognition of the Okocha-led CTC as the legitimate leadership of the party in the state.
However, in the statement, Nwauju criticized the NWC for causing disunity within the party in the state, calling it a national embarrassment.
He said, “The court order has preserved the tenure of the elected party executives in the state. Therefore, considering new congresses for the party in Rivers State would not only be illegal but also a waste of resources.”
Furthermore, he added, “We strongly condemn this national embarrassment to our party and urge the NWC members to interpret and understand the August 12, 2024 judgment neutrally, as it is the only ruling in Nigeria concerning elected APC executives in Rivers State.”
“We have heard rumors of potential suspensions on members of the State Executive Committee, as well as attempts to fabricate a judgment from an Abuja High Court against the state executives, but we will wait and see.
“In conclusion, we appeal to the NWC to refrain from distracting our esteemed President with untimely political maneuvers that do not contribute any value to the Renewed Hope Agenda.”