A faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s affirmation of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the leader of the party in the state, describing the clarification as consistent with party constitution and long-standing convention.
The Rivers APC faction, led by Emeka Beke, said the affirmation conveyed through the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, reaffirmed the principle that sitting APC governors serve as party leaders in their respective states.
Faction Says Affirmation Ends Leadership Ambiguity
In a statement signed by the faction’s spokesman, Darlington Nwauju, the party said the declaration should put to rest what it described as “false and misleading narratives” surrounding the leadership of the APC in Rivers State.
“The affirmation reflects the President’s commitment to the APC constitution and established party conventions,” the statement said.
“It should bring cohesion, effective mobilisation, and organisational efficiency to the party in Rivers State.”
The faction noted that the clarification aligned with the policy direction of the APC’s national leadership.
Criticism of National Publicity Secretary
The Rivers APC leadership also criticised comments attributed to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, regarding the ongoing impeachment controversy involving Governor Fubara and his deputy.
According to the statement, the remarks were personal opinions that did not reflect the official position of the party and were inconsistent with internal discipline.
“Such comments run contrary to the core values of party membership and internal cohesion,” the faction said, calling on Morka to step aside from his position.
Call for Congresses and Stakeholders’ Meeting
The faction urged the APC National Working Committee to take into account existing court decisions on the leadership of the Rivers State chapter and to immediately schedule congresses at the ward, local government, and state levels to harmonise contending interests.
It also appealed to Governor Fubara, in his capacity as party leader in the state, to convene a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at charting a clear direction for the APC going forward.
Context of Internal Divisions
The Rivers APC has been divided into factions, with one led by Emeka Beke and another associated with Tony Okocha, which has enjoyed recognition from the party’s national leadership at different times.
The party said resolving leadership disputes through constitutional means remains critical to restoring stability as political tensions persist in the state.
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