The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), led by Chief Emeka Beke, has strongly dismissed claims made by a faction led by Chief Tony Okocha, which accused former Governor Rotimi Amaechi of conspiring with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to destabilize President Bola Tinubu’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The allegation, made by the factional Publicity Secretary of the APC in Rivers State, Chibuike Ikenga, surfaced in an interview with DAILY POST on January 12, 2025. Ikenga accused Amaechi of secretly collaborating with Atiku and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to use the judiciary as a means to weaken the APC in the state.
Ikenga’s claims have stirred controversy, alleging a behind-the-scenes plot by Amaechi to undermine the President’s authority and ultimately unseat Tinubu in the forthcoming elections. However, Darlington Nwauju, the Publicity Secretary under the Beke-led APC, swiftly refuted the allegations, calling them unfounded and labeling them as “tales by moonlight.”
“We have observed that political opportunists like Chibuike Ikenga have repeatedly used blackmail to gain undeserved government positions, and are now desperate to seize control of our party’s structure in Rivers State,” Nwauju said in a statement issued on January 12. “This latest claim, which links Amaechi to conspiratorial plots against our President, is entirely fabricated and lacks any credible evidence.”
Nwauju strongly denounced Ikenga for tarnishing Amaechi’s reputation and sowing discord between Fubara and President Tinubu. He accused Ikenga of attempting to create unnecessary rifts in the party, further undermining the unity of the APC in Rivers State. The statement pointed to a previous instance where Ikenga’s faction welcomed members of the Rivers State House of Assembly into the APC fold, only to retract the claim after a court ruling deemed the defections invalid.
“We stand firm in our belief that such allegations, without a shred of evidence, should be dismissed outright,” Nwauju continued. “Ikenga’s accusations are merely a distraction from the real work we are doing to strengthen the APC and support President Tinubu.”
In his defense of Amaechi, Nwauju also highlighted the ongoing legal battles surrounding the leadership of the APC in Rivers State. He pointed to a judgment by Justice Sika Aprioku of the Rivers State High Court, delivered on August 12, 2024, which nullified the Okocha-led Caretaker Committee. This ruling effectively removed Ikenga and his faction from holding legitimate leadership positions in the state chapter of the party.
Additionally, Nwauju cited a December 2024 ruling by Justice Godswill Obomanu of the Rivers State High Court, which voided the controversial November 2024 congresses conducted by Ikenga’s faction, deeming them illegal and null and void.
“These rulings confirm that the faction led by Chibuike Ikenga has no authority to speak for or represent the APC in Rivers State,” Nwauju asserted. “The legitimacy of our party leadership rests solely with Chief Emeka Beke’s administration.”
Regarding Ikenga’s remarks on the judiciary, which were critical of the courts’ decisions, Nwauju emphasized that the Beke-led APC holds deep respect for the rule of law and the decisions of the judiciary. He condemned Ikenga’s disparaging comments about the court system, calling them an indication of his ignorance of the constitutional powers vested in the judiciary.
“We will not engage with individuals who disrespect the judiciary and undermine the legal processes that keep our democracy intact. The rule of law must be upheld, and no one is above it, regardless of their political position,” Nwauju stated.
Furthermore, Nwauju touched on Ikenga’s controversial role in the APC’s performance in Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA), where he previously served as party leader. Nwauju revealed that Ikenga’s leadership had caused dissatisfaction among party members, leading to his ousting during the APC’s campaign rallies in January 2023. He also criticized Ikenga for allegedly undermining APC candidates in the LGA, while claiming to support the party’s gubernatorial campaign.
“The discontent within the party ranks in Ikwerre LGA led to Ikenga’s removal from office, and it is no secret that he has since aligned himself with the current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, a member of the opposition party,” Nwauju revealed.
The statement also referenced allegations of academic sponsorship involving members of Ikenga’s family, which reportedly came from the current FCT Minister, Wike, despite Ikenga’s previous stance as an APC leader.
“We will not be distracted by falsehoods and empty accusations,” Nwauju concluded. “Our focus is on unity, the promotion of good governance, and supporting President Tinubu’s leadership as we move towards the 2027 elections.”
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