By James Orji
On Tuesday, Senator Magnus Abe Inaugurated Golden Chioma as the Chairman of his own faction of the All progressives Congress, APC in Rivers state in what watchers of the state described as a twist in the dog fight between him and Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transport over who is in control of the soul of the party in the oil bearing state.
The APC congresses across the country were marred by crisis in many states such as Lagos, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Delta etc,., where opposing sides could not agree on the selection of new state official to lead the party. In Ekiti, some aggrieved party supporters simply stayed away from the congresses waiting for the courts to decide on the legal action instituted against the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee. Also, in Adamawa state, the congress was postponed due to the same crisis.
The inauguration of Chioma by the Abe faction was held at the Freedom House, a campaign secretariat set up by Senator Abe located in the GRA, Port Harcourt in 2019. Apart from Chioma, members of the executive included Mike Amakiri, Deputy Chairman, Inye Jack as Secretary, Joy Woko, State woman leader among others.
What makes the development in Rivers unique, watchers of events in the state insist, is that it has further polarised the party, with the rivalry between Amaechi and Abe taking turn for the worst as the combating sides appear not prepared to shield their swords.
Chioma, had at the last minute pulled out of the state congress, last Saturday, expressing dissatisfaction with the outcome of the exercise. “I think the congress is not right at this point,” he said after Dr. Abubakar Idris, who was delegated from the APC National Secretariat, announced that Beke pulled an overwhelming 1,575 of total 1,61.
According to Chioma, “We have also complained to the National Secretariat of our great party that there was no ward congress in Rivers, and I am of the opinion that you cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand.
“Since there was no ward congress in Rivers, there can’t be a valid state congress for the state. I and others petitioned the National Secretariat that people have hijacked the ward congress in the state.
“The party then stated how things should be resolved. Those things were not resolved. A faction hacked everything. We petitioned the National Secretariat and a delegation was sent to verify our petition.
“They found out that our petition and complaints were genuine and right. So, we are waiting for the National Secretariat to take a position on that. It will be foolhardy, having complained ahead, to participate in the state congress,” he added.
Recall that Senator Abe served under Governor Amaechi as Chief of Staff. The former allies parted ways after President Muhammadu Buhari came to power in 2015 and appointed the former governor a minister, and one of the most influential official in his administration.
Meanwhile, following his inauguration as the Chairman of the Abe-led faction, Chioma has sent a strong message to the state Governor Nyesom Wike to begin to pack his loads from the Government House as the opposition party was set to take over the affairs of the state in 2023.
