By Our Reporter
The Emeka Beke–led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has congratulated residents of the 23 local council areas for their participation in the just-concluded local government elections.
Recall that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had listed candidates from the sacked Tony Okocha–led faction of the party for the polls, subsequently declaring the APC winner in 20 out of the 23 councils, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched the remaining three.
The Beke faction, which is currently challenging RSIEC’s refusal to recognize its candidates as the authentic APC list, however, sued for peace among its supporters, even as it vowed to reclaim its “stolen mandate” in court.
In a statement issued by its 23 chairmanship candidates, the legally recognized faction described the outcome as a “sweet victory” for the APC, stressing that the massive votes garnered were a clear indication of Rivers residents’ acceptance of President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to carry the state’s stakeholders along in his administration.
The statement, signed by the group’s spokesperson, Ambassador Fubara Dagogo, reaffirmed that they remain the authentic candidates of the party, citing the legitimacy of the Emeka Beke–led State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC, which enjoys judicial recognition. They emphasized that with time, they would reclaim their “misplaced mandates.”
“Following the attempt to dissolve the duly elected State Executive Committee of the Party in Rivers State and impose Chief Tony Okocha and his associates, the State Executive Committee led by Chief Emeka Beke, through its Secretary, Sam Sam Etetegwung, filed a suit at the High Court of Rivers State. The case, PHC/3592/CS/2023 (Sam Sam Etetegwung v. His Excellency Abdullahi Ganduje & Ors.), was decided in a well-considered judgment by Hon. Justice S. H. Aprioku, who voided the purported dissolution of the Exco and validated the tenure of the Beke-led Exco until October 2025 in line with the Party’s Constitution.
“That judgment is still subsisting, having not been set aside by any appellate court. The implication is simple: the Executive Committee of the APC in Rivers State is legally led by Chief Emeka Beke.
“Again, on December 20, 2024, Justice Godswill Obomanu nullified the purported congresses conducted by Tony Okocha & Co., which they have been relying on to confuse the polity.”
The legally recognized faction, therefore, called on its supporters not to lose hope, stressing the need to shun violence. They noted that the APC’s electoral performance had already sent a strong message ahead of the massive support they anticipate for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
“The mass turnout, especially at the grassroots, has validated our numerous efforts to market our party in rural areas. We have never relented, and today we can boldly state that the APC has arrived and has been accepted by the people of Rivers State,” the statement read in part.
The candidates reiterated their determination to pursue legal redress and full recognition of the authentic list and state leadership of the party. They disclosed that legal action had already commenced to reclaim their victories.
“We congratulate both President Bola Tinubu and the people of Rivers State on this victory. We must remain calm and eschew violence as we trust the judiciary to deliver justice to those denied by RSIEC.
“The APC remains one big family in the state, and we express our joy and satisfaction with the return of peace to our dear state. We will not resort to violence. As peace lovers, we will not allow Rivers to return to crisis, but justice must prevail in this pursuit,” the statement assured.
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