The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently embroiled in a leadership crisis.
The faction led by Tony Okocha has accused former Minister of Transport and ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi of collaborating with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Chibuike Ikenga, spokesperson for the Okocha-led faction, claimed that Amaechi has been holding secret night meetings in Rivers State to advance this agenda.
Ikenga explained that the APC’s challenges in Rivers State began in 2018 when the Supreme Court barred the party from participating in the 2019 general election due to internal disputes. He blamed Amaechi for mismanaging the party’s structure and support base, which he believes led to the party’s repeated electoral failures until Tinubu’s victory in 2023.
The spokesperson dismissed claims of factionalism within the APC, asserting that the party remains unified under the leadership of Tony Okocha.
He stated that the dissolution of the former state executive committee, which was aligned with Amaechi, was a legitimate decision by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, supported by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and court rulings.
Ikenga accused the Amaechi-aligned faction of engaging in anti-party activities, particularly during the 2023 presidential election when they allegedly supported Atiku instead of Tinubu. He argued that this warranted their removal from leadership positions.
On the relationship between former Governors Nyesom Wike and Peter Odili, Ikenga described it as strained due to what he called Odili’s misjudgment in aligning with certain political interests. He noted that Wike’s influence remains strong within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and that his backing of Governor Sim Fubara could determine the governor’s political future.
Regarding the Rivers House of Assembly crisis, Ikenga stressed the importance of obeying court rulings to restore peace. He claimed that the judiciary has made binding pronouncements, which the executive arm of the state government has allegedly ignored.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Ikenga expressed confidence that the APC would emerge victorious in Rivers State, attributing this to the internal divisions within the PDP. He suggested that the ongoing disagreements between Governor Fubara and his political benefactors, particularly Wike, could benefit the APC.
When asked about possible reconciliation between the two APC factions, Ikenga remained skeptical. He emphasized that the party under Tony Okocha’s leadership is focused on maintaining its structure and preparing for future elections, rather than aligning with Amaechi’s camp or the PDP.