The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has called for the immediate resignation of the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka. This demand follows Morka’s recent interview on national television, where he commented on the legislative actions taken by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof. (Mrs.) Ngozi Odu. The APC in Rivers State expressed embarrassment over Morka’s response to questions regarding the status of Darlington Nwauju, who has been issuing statements on behalf of the party in the state. Morka described Nwauju as an official of the old executive committee, casting doubt on his current position within the party.
The Rivers State chapter of the APC took issue with Morka’s comments, which they believe ridicule and disrespect lawful court rulings. They pointed to two specific court cases, Suit No. PHC/3592/CS/2023 and Suit No. 3859/CS/2024, which nullified the purported dissolution of the executives elected in October 2021 and voided the congress conducted in November 2023 to replace those executives. These rulings give Nwauju the authority to speak on behalf of the party in Rivers State.
The APC in Rivers State argued that Morka’s actions undermine the party’s commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law. They questioned his loyalty to the party, given his personal opinions on the matter, which they believe do not reflect the stance of the National Working Committee. The party also expressed concern over Morka’s behavior as a lawyer, suggesting that his conduct may warrant investigation by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Council.
The call for Morka’s resignation highlights the ongoing internal conflicts within the APC in Rivers State. The party has faced challenges related to leadership and legitimacy, with different factions vying for control. The current situation has significant implications for the party’s prospects in future elections, including the potential for divisions and infighting to hinder their chances of success. The National Chairman and Secretary of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwada and Senator Ajibola Bashiru, respectively, are under pressure to address these issues and prevent a repeat of the problems that plagued the party in 2019.
