Disquiet in Rivers APC as party leadership moves to counter forces opposed to Amaechi

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State on Sunday betrayed the internal wrangling within the party. This comes many months after it quietly tried to deal with dissensions within the organization by elements who felt that ex-governor Rotimi Amaechi, now Minister of Transportation, had become over bearing by influencing the removal of zonal party leaders perceived to be working against his interest.

Addressing party members through a correspondence signed by Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, on behalf of the party chairman, Davies Ikanya, the leadership warned that it would no longer tolerate attempts aimed at diminishing its control as well as moves to discredit Amaechi’s influence in the state.

Speculations had been rife that a cold war had broken out between Senator Magnus Abe and Amaechi who incidentally are the highest ranking members of the state chapter by virtue of their political standings at the federal level. Both, however, have continued to maintain an attitude of peace even though fight over control of party structures has become common knowledge ahead 2019.

Frustrated at developments within its fold, Rivers APC, in a statement released Sunday stated thus: “That the party has watched with unease calmness and discomfort the continued efforts by some party leaders to disorganise and weaken the State Chapter of the party ahead of the 2019 general elections by adopting untoward and divisive acts not acceptable to the party and not in tandem with the constitution of our great party.”

It claimed that, “This class of leaders in their quest for political relevance have not ceased on daily basis to disparage the person and personality of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, erstwhile Governor of Rivers State and incumbent Minister of Transportation and the undisputed leader of our party in the State.”

It warned, “That the party leadership decides to keep calm and quiet all these while shouldn’t be misconstrued as a sign of weakness to warrant these ceaseless attacks on our party leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi whose single mission is to build a virile, vibrant, cohesive, united chapter of the party capable of salvaging the State from the hands of undemocratic elements currently pervading and exhibiting all manners of bad governance inimical to the growth and prosperity of our dear State.”

The party further warned dissenting members not to take Amaechi’s meekness and humility as reason to continue to paint the party as if it was not an organised group without constitution or laws governing our actions.

“As much as we will not discourage or hinder any member of our great party from exercising their powers of freedom of speech, association or movement but such speeches, movements or associations shouldn’t result to stunted growth of our party both at the State and National levels.

“This notwithstanding, let us reiterate that the strategy by some of our leaders and members to frolic with those who sponsored the killings of most of our members and supporters can’t be said to be the best style to prove their capability to lead our party come 2019,” the party said.

In pleading with party faithful to accord Amaechi some respect, the Ikanya-led leadership said, “As much as we recognize and respect the risks and sacrifices some of us have put in, let us reiterate that the sacrifices and risks by Amaechi in planting APC both in Rivers State and the nation as a whole can’t be underplayed for any reason whatsoever. Those whose major trade these days is to take joy in castigating Amaechi shouldn’t forget the parts he played in their present political status.”

Rivers State is considered a major battle ground for votes ahead 2019 as incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike has openly vowed to resist APC’s forays into the state, and Amaechi continues to show great determination to install his protege, Dakuku Peterside, as the next governor of Rivers State.

 

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