The Rivers State chapter of the APC, led by reinstated Chairman Emeka Beke, has condemned a lawsuit filed by party chieftain Tony Okocha, which seeks to halt funds allocation to local government councils. In a press statement, party spokesman Darlington Nwauju reiterated that Tony Okocha and his caretaker committee had been dismissed but continue to act against a standing court judgment.
Nwauju accused Okocha of ill intentions towards the state, aiming to frustrate the councils due to their lack of access to funds. This follows a recent press briefing where Okocha admitted to seeking a court order to stop funds allocation over alleged procedural faults.
In a detailed statement, Nwauju criticized Okocha and his associates for disregarding a valid court judgment that invalidated their appointments. He condemned their attempts to secure a contradictory judgment from another court to block local government allocations, which he argued would harm thousands of Rivers residents dependent on the local government system.
Nwauju emphasized the importance of judicial independence and criticized the manipulation of the judiciary by desperate politicians. He highlighted the need for electoral bodies to resist court interference and referenced past legal battles affirming the autonomy of local governments.
The statement also called for the implementation of the Justice Muhammad Uwais Panel’s recommendations for appointing electoral body members through a transparent process to ensure confidence in the electoral system. Nwauju concluded by urging those involved to support democratic processes rather than undermining them for selfish reasons.
Signed, Darlington Nwauju Rivers State APC Spokesman
