The Emeka Beke-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally welcomed the affirmation of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the leader of the party in the state. The faction described the development as a significant vindication of its long-standing position amidst protracted internal tensions.
The leadership of the Rivers APC, in a statement released on Friday by its spokesman, Darlington Nwauju, lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the clarification. The affirmation, which was conveyed through the President’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, aligns with the established convention that APC governors serve as the titular heads of the party in their respective states to ensure organisational efficiency and cohesion.
Nwauju noted that this directive reflects the President’s adherence to the APC Constitution and should effectively terminate the “false and misleading narratives” that have plagued the state chapter’s leadership structure.
The Beke-led faction did not mince words regarding the recent conduct of the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. The state chapter sharply criticised Morka’s public commentary on the ongoing impeachment proceedings involving Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
According to the statement, Morka’s remarks were “personal opinions” that contravened the core values of party membership and discipline. Consequently, the faction has called for Morka to step aside from his national role, accusing him of failing to protect the party’s strategic objectives.
“The National Publicity Secretary must safeguard the party’s organisational integrity rather than advancing personal narratives that run contrary to our values,” the statement read.
To resolve the lingering disputes within the chapter, the Rivers APC urged the National Working Committee (NWC) to respect subsisting court decisions regarding state leadership. They proposed a clear roadmap for stability, including:
- Ward, Local Government, and State Congresses: Immediate scheduling of congresses to harmonise contending interests and legitimise leadership at all levels.
- Stakeholders’ Engagement: An appeal to Governor Fubara, in his capacity as State Party Leader, to convene an inclusive meeting to chart a strategic path forward for the APC in Rivers State.
This development marks a decisive shift in the “battle for the soul” of the Rivers APC. By embracing Governor Fubara as the leader, the Beke-led faction is positioning itself as the mainstream loyalist group under the Presidential mandate, potentially isolating rival interests and setting the stage for a major organisational overhaul before the next electoral cycle.
