The APC in Rivers State shall rise from the ashes of despair -Dr. Sokonte Davies

Rt. Hon. Sokonte H. Davies, PhD, a Former Member of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and immediate past Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has reacted to the twin judgements delivered by a High Court in Rivers State on pending court cases involving the All Progressives Party, APC in Rivers State.

In his reaction, he noted that these trying times resulting from the several intra-party litigations these past two years have not only tested the resolve of party men and women to remain united and loyal to a common cause, but have deterred the quest to bring the needed change to Rivers people.

A statement signed by Davies and made available to Africa Update reads:
My attention has been drawn to the twin judgments of the High Court of Rivers State delivered by the Honourable Justice George Omereji sitting in Port Harcourt yesterday. As expected, both judgments have been greeted with mixed reactions by the different tendencies which populate our great party. This, in my view, is very normal. We must not all agree at once on a subject, given our diverse backgrounds, orientation, callings and expectations in politics. However, I believe that the judgments also gave every tendency an opportunity to rethink on what we must do to get the APC up and running again in our beloved State as the alternative voice which holds the State Government accountable to the good people of the State. Anything to the contrary is self-serving.
For the avoidance of doubt, one of the judgments is to the effect that those who claimed exclusion from the processes leading to the 2018 Congresses and dragged the State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress before the Judiciary be allowed to partake in fresh exercises in due course. The other enthroned Rt. Hon. Igo Aguma as caretaker Chairman of the party and nullified the appointment of the Barr. Abbot Ogbogbula led Caretaker Committee appointed by the National Working Committee to oversee the affairs of the party subsequent upon the judgments which set aside the election of executive committees at all levels from the 2018 Congresses.
These indeed are very trying times for our party. These are even more trying times for our Leader and Honourable Minister for Transportation, The Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON and those of us privileged to lead the rest of the party membership behind him. These trying times resulting from the several intra-party litigations these past two years have not only tested our resolve as a people to remain united and loyal to a common cause. They have constituted a huge distraction to our commitment to bring “Change” to Rivers people since 2015, which is at the core of the reasons we joined the Progressives chariot in late 2013.
Given the price we have all paid as APC members in Rivers State, these temptations and infractions should energise us the more to provide that credible alternative to the sitting government Rivers people crave. In this context therefore, I urge us to be stronger and not weakened by the political contestation that has torn us apart. We must resolve to rise to the occasion like the proverbial Phoenix from the Ashes of the setbacks we have suffered up to this point. We must rise because so much is expected of us from our State.
In the coming days and weeks, positions will be taken in reaction to these judgments. Again, there is nothing unnatural about such. However, I pray for greater circumspection on the part of all and sundry. Let us sheathe our swords as we reflect on what losses litigations and disagreements have fetched us, including the deprivation of all of us the right to contest for elective positions in the last general elections. That lost opportunity is unprecedented. Especially coming at a time in our country when our great party is in charge of the reins of power at the Federal level and in majority of the States of the Federation, we should reflect more deeply on the collateral damage from this and in thinking of fresh strategies to outwit those we once called and still call brothers, sisters and friends, we should determine that such will lead to a collective healing, as our Leader has always espoused.  
Mistakes have been made but we must move on from the past. I make a personal commitment to join the Leader of the party to take every step necessary to complete the process of salvation of our party from further tempest and hawkish attacks. I will also consult with other colleagues in the leadership structures of the party on the way forward.
Meanwhile, I join ranks with those urging party faithful to seek first the overall interest of the party before dragging her before the courts going forwards if we must learn from our ugly past. We have to persevere, remain diligent and as dedicated as ever. We must not despair even as the times are trying and challenging. Our collective success and victory are certain. For as Leonardo, the Governor of Messina, told the Messenger in “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare: “A victory is twice itself when the victor returns with full numbers”.
May God bless the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State and long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.