Nigeria’s Ruling Party in Fresh Row Over Court Decision

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Nigeria, has responded to its National Working Committee (NWC) over its reaction to the reinstatement of the Emeka Beke-led executives in the state. The state chapter expressed concern that the NWC’s response indicates a deviation from the rule of law.

In a statement released on Friday, the state chapter, through its Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, expressed disbelief that a major organ of the ruling party could disregard a legitimate court decision in a democratic society. The statement emphasized that a business environment cannot thrive without the rule of law, and warned that the NWC’s actions could deter investors.

The state chapter clarified that court bailiffs have correctly delivered the court’s decision to the National Secretariat, and emphasized that no one is authorized to act on behalf of the APC Rivers State chapter without approval from the officially elected leaders under Emeka Beke. It also refuted claims by Deputy National Secretary of the APC, Festus Fuanter, who stated that the court had dissolved the APC Rivers State executives.

The statement criticized Fuanter’s understanding of the situation and the judgement that reinstated the state executives as flawed. It urged the NWC to seek an unbiased interpretation of the judgment and avoid actions that could distract President Bola Tinubu from his Renewed Hope Agenda.

The APC Rivers State chapter also condemned the current NWC’s actions, describing them as obstructive to party progress and detrimental to party unity. It addressed rumors of attempts to suspend the state executives and alleged plans to secure a judgment from an Abuja High Court by individuals acting out of desperation.

The statement also criticized the activities of the current NWC, saying they are constituting a great cog in the wheel of progress for the party and communicating a rather taciturn posture to party cohesion while debasing pluralism of thoughts and encouraging dissent.

Nigerians are invited to peruse the entire forty-eight-page judgment delivered by Justice S.H. Aprioku in Suit No. PHC/CS/3592/2023. The suit was instituted on behalf of aggrieved members of the State Executive Committee by the Secretary of the Rivers State chapter of the APC, not the Chairman.

The APC Rivers State chapter is calling for an end to the current crisis and for the NWC to seek a peaceful resolution.