Sir Tony Okocha, the interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has revealed what he describes as a grand conspiracy aimed at weakening the party in the state and undermining President Bola Tinubu’s chances for reelection in 2027.
Okocha expressed concerns that loyalists of former APC leader Rotimi Amaechi are attempting to regain control of the Rivers APC with the intention of using the party to oppose Tinubu in the next presidential election. This conspiracy, according to Okocha, involves aligning the APC with the state government, which could jeopardize Tinubu’s political future.
This development follows a recent ruling by a Rivers State High Court, which reinstated Emeka Beke as the APC Chairman, nullifying the caretaker committee led by Okocha. However, the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) has reaffirmed Okocha’s leadership, maintaining that his committee is the only recognized administrative body for the party in Rivers State.
Okocha criticized the court’s ruling, arguing that the APC was not a party to the lawsuit, and expressed concern that Beke’s leadership, which he claimed was imposed by Amaechi, was characterized by ineptitude and political high-handedness. He accused Beke and Barr. Iheanyichukwu Dike of engaging in anti-party activities, leading to their suspension from the State Working Committee.
Okocha is determined to prevent Amaechi’s loyalists from regaining control of the Rivers APC and using it against Tinubu in 2027. He emphasized that the party, under his leadership, will continue to uphold the law and has already appealed the court’s decision, with plans to take the matter to the Supreme Court if necessary.
“We are ready to go the whole hog,” Okocha stated, vowing not to allow the party to revert to its “social club status.”