How Wike Forced APC To Dissolve Rivers Chapter  Committees, Loyalist Named New Caretaker Chairman

By Ayodele Oni

Following overbearing influence of former Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) has disbanded the Executive Committees at all levels of its chapter in the State.

Although the leadership claimed that the dissolution was as a result of a protracted crisis within the chapters, it was gathered that Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), has almost hijacked the APC at all levels in the State.

Addressing Journalists at the end of the NWC meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka named Chief Tony Okocha as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee.

Okocha had, in July, made a strong case for the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, to be given the Ministerial slot meant for the State, arguing that the victory of President Bola Tinubu in the State was made possible by Wike.

He said neither the Social Democratic Party’s Governorship Candidate, Magnus Abe, nor the immediate past Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, deserved the slot, having not worked for Tinubu’s success, as Wike, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party PDP did. Wike has since been appointed as Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister.

Morka, at the briefing, said the Party’s decision was signed by the National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Deputy National Secretary, Barr. Festus Fuanter.

He said; “The NWC of the APC at its meeting on 22 November 2023 and under the powers conferred upon it by the NEC of the party and by the provision of Article 13 and recognizing compelling circumstances that have arisen in the Rivers state chapter necessitating decisive actions hereby resolves that the executive committees of the party in Rivers state at all levels are dissolved.

“A Caretaker Committee shall be appointed to conduct a comprehensive e-registration of all members in the state; to facilitate the emergence of new executive committees extending from wards to the state”.

He listed Chief Tony C. Okocha as Chairman, Chief Eric Nwibani was named Secretary. Members are Hon. Chibuike Ikenga, Prince Stephen Abolo, Hon. Silvester Vidin, Senibo Karibi Dan-Jumbo and Miss Darling Amadi.