The All Progressives Congress (APC) has appointed Chief Tony Okocha as the new chairman overseeing party operations in Rivers State, following a recent court ruling that dismissed Emeka Beke, a close associate of Governor Nyesom Wike.
This announcement came from the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC during a meeting held on Thursday.
Earlier this week, a Rivers State High Court ruled against Okocha’s caretaker committee, reinstating Emeka Beke as the party chairman in the region. However, the NWC has asserted that the court’s decision does not hold weight for the APC, as Beke was not a participant in the legal proceedings.
According to Barr. Festus Fuanter, the party’s Deputy National Secretary, the plaintiff in the case targeted the National Chairman and Secretary of the APC, but did not include the party itself. He emphasized that the APC continues to endorse the caretaker committee led by Chief Tony Okocha as the rightful governing body in Rivers State.
Fuanter further pointed out that there is an existing court ruling that has already removed Emeka Beke from his position, although he has filed an appeal against this decision.
He stated, “We want to make it abundantly clear to the public that the judgment from the Rivers High Court, presided over by Justice §. Aprioko in Suit No: PHC 3592 CS. 2023, which reinstated the previously dissolved State Executive Committee, is not applicable to our Party (APC).
The claimant in this case sued the National Chairman and Secretary of our esteemed Party, not the Party itself. You cannot hold an agent accountable for the actions of a disclosed principal. Therefore, a court ruling is not enforceable on any individual or organization that was not a party to the lawsuit.”
He continued, “In the case of PHC/3592/CS/2023, involving Sam Sam Etetegwung Vs. H.E. Abdullahi Ganduje & 7 others, where the court reinstated the Rivers State Executive Committee that was previously dissolved by APC, this ruling does not affect the APC, as it was not named as a party in the suit.”
Fuanter also mentioned the existing court ruling against Chief Emeka Beke and Iheanyichukwu Azubuike (the former Rivers State APC Chairman and Legal Adviser) that led to their removal from office. This case, identified as No. PHC/925/CS/2023, involving Omiete Efrebo & 9 others Vs. Chief Emeka Beke & 2 others, has been appealed by Beke and is currently pending before the Court of Appeal.
In conclusion, the NWC reiterated its recognition of the previous Caretaker Committee that was established to manage the party’s activities in the state.
Additionally, the NWC announced that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is scheduled to convene on September 12, with a Caucus meeting slated for September 11. These gatherings will require approval from President Bola Tinubu.
