Politics

Rivers APC crisis : Factions bicker over ‘Amaechi’s directive’ to back Atiku

Published

2 years ago

October 6, 2023

Rotimi Amaechi

Rivers APC crisis : Factions bicker over ‘Amaechi’s directive’ to back Atiku

There is a renewed hostility and acrimony in the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the two warring factions have both visited the party’s national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, with different claims.

A faction of the party loyal to the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that a former governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi had struck a deal with the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25 poll, Atiku Abubakar, prior to the election and directed APC members during a meeting to campaign and vote for the former vice president.

Leader of the APC faction, Tony Okocha, made the claim on Thursday when he led top party leaders including key members of the state working committee and other leaders of the party across all the local government areas in Rivers State on a courtesy visit to the APC national chairman, Dr Ganduje in Abuja.

Recall that Amaechi came second at the APC presidential primary which produced Tinubu as candidate. Also, his camp recently met with the APC national chairman, Ganduje, in Abuja, where members ventilated their grievances over their non-inclusion in the scheme of things, especially, appointments into key positions by the Tinubu-led administration.

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Addressing Ganduje and other APC bigwigs on the essence of the visit at the party’s headquarters, Okocha said Amaechi had announced his support for Atiku during a stakeholders’ meeting prior to the election and insisted that party members in the state must not be allowed to vote for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was APC’s candidate in the election.

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He also appealed to the Ganduje-led National Working Committee (NWC) that whatever appointment or benefit the party wishes to allot to Rivers APC should pass through Nyesom Wike, a former governor of Rivers State who is of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but now minister of the FCT.

He said, “In Rivers State, the leader of the slant which Cole and Dakuku, et al, belonged, had helmed up alliances with the PDP presidential candidate, HE, Atiku Abubakar, that Atiku and not Tinubu should be voted for in the presidential election.

“This wicked resolve against the APC in Rivers was openly announced in a meeting at the instance of the leader at his private residence in Port Harcourt, thickly attended by Mr. Cole, Dakuku, Chukwudi Dimkpa, et al, members of the innermost caucus.

“It was handed down that Tinubu must fail in Rivers State. They were thus, mandated to transport to their supporters in the 6868 polling units, 319 wards, and 23 local government areas in Rivers State.

“Was this obnoxious decision opposed by any of them either in words or actions?

Will they deny ever attending such a meeting and receiving such dastardly instruction? We have pictorial, visual, and individual testimonies to this.

“How did they contribute to the party’s presidential victory in Rivers State and were unable to deliver their members who contested National Assembly elections on the same day?”

“It is crucial to note that in all of that event that gulped several million, Neither Amaechi, Cole, Dakuku, et al now leading a delegation to the National Secretariat of our party, to belie the issues and make veritable their demand for compensation, contributed a split penny, neither did they contribute up to 10 genuine party members in the mammoth crowd that greeted that rally, for which the candidate, Asiwaju eulogised.”

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He asked the Ganduje-led NWC not to recognise any other APC camp in Rivers, claiming they ceased to be members of the party a long time ago.

In his remarks, the factional state chairman, Emeka Bekee said, “As our leader has just said, before the elections, there was a directive and that directive was ‘go and vote Atiku.’ But we said no, we are party loyalists and we will vote for our party’s candidate, Asiwaju.”

It’s a lie from pit of hell – Amaechi

But reacting, Amaechi described Okocha’s claim as lie from the pit of hell.

Amaechi who spoke through his media aide, Chukwuemeka Eze said, “That statement is not only a lie from the pit of hell but one of those ploys to continue to witch hunt and present Amaechi in bad light before the APC leadership in order for him and his associates to continue to eat the crumbs from the table of Tinubu.

“During the 2023 general elections, Tony Okocha had ceased to be a member of APC as he, Magnus Abe, and others had refused to revalidate their APC membership cards. So if that is the case, Amaechi couldn’t have directed a non-member of APC to vote against the party.

“I will counsel Nigerians, particularly, you Journalists to disregard any statement about Rivers State APC from Tony Okocha and his likes. Amaechi is not only a respected member of APC but a great leader of the party in the South-South region until such a time it becomes imperative for him to change party.

“And let me reiterate that Wike, Okocha or any member of their misguided cohorts can not and will not be in a position to remove Amaechi from APC both as the leader of the party in the region and key member of APC no matter all their evil plots.”

Stop overheating system – Ganduje

Responding, Ganduje warned the two factions in the state to stop overhearing the system and allow the National Working Committee (NWC) to resolve the issues.

He said, “There is no doubt River State is a very important state in Nigeria; an oil-producing state with a reasonable population which is an asset for election and asset to any political party.

“Our party in Rivers State is highly fictionalised, that is a fact. Our party in Rivers State was killed by litigations, that one too is a fact. One important question to ask is ‘How come we won the presidential election and lost the state election?’ It is a miracle.

“So we have to congratulate you on that. But what we are saying, yes, there is confusion in the party, but we don’t want members to overheat the system; we are focused, we are organised, and we work scientifically in politics.

“Therefore, you give us an enabling environment; give us a chance so that we can put a round peg in a round hole, a square peg in a square hole so that we maintain our dignity as a party.

“We don’t want too much analysis because they say too much analysis leads to paralysis. So give us a chance so that we can consult, so that we look at the constitution of APC and then we wait and see how we can put things in order.”

Rivers APC crisis : Factions bicker over ‘Amaechi’s directive’ to back Atiku

(DAILY TRUST)

Related Topics:APC Atiku Featured Rotimi Amaechi

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Politics

Bala Mohammed Rejects APC Pressure, Says He Won’t Be Criminalised

Published

1 hour ago

April 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Bauch State Governor, Bala Mohammed

Bala Mohammed Rejects APC Pressure, Says He Won’t Be Criminalised

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has strongly rejected alleged political pressure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the federal government of President Bola Tinubu, insisting he will not be intimidated or “criminalised” for refusing to defect to the ruling party.

Speaking at a press conference, Governor Mohammed accused federal agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the courts, of being used as tools to target political opponents. He described the alleged actions as politically motivated harassment aimed at forcing him and other opposition figures to align with the APC.

“The APC-led federal government thinks they can use the court and the EFCC to prosecute Nigerians who are not in their party,” Mohammed said. “If they don’t stop, we are prepared to declare a war. I assure you, we will not keep quiet any longer. I will not allow anybody to criminalise me because I refuse to join their party.”

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The governor reaffirmed his decision not to defect, highlighting that some of his commissioners have already faced pressure and what he calls unjust scrutiny by anti-graft agencies. He warned that continued coercion could provoke stronger public responses from himself and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership.

Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, accused the APC-led administration of deploying “gestapo tactics” to weaken opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections. He said these actions undermine democratic principles, politicize state institutions, and threaten the independence of officeholders.

Political observers note that his comments underscore rising tension between the federal government and opposition governors, as speculation continues about party realignments and alliances ahead of upcoming elections. Supporters argue that his stance represents a firm defense of political freedom, while critics warn that the rhetoric could further heighten partisan polarization in the country.

Governor Mohammed’s position highlights broader concerns over federal influence on state affairs, the impartiality of anti-corruption agencies, and the use of state institutions in partisan politics, raising urgent questions about Nigeria’s democratic and governance frameworks.

Bala Mohammed Rejects APC Pressure, Says He Won’t Be Criminalised

Politics

US Firm to Engage Trump, Congress Over INEC’s Suspension of ADC Leadership

Published

8 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan

US Firm to Engage Trump, Congress Over INEC’s Suspension of ADC Leadership

A U.S.-based policy and lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague York L.C., has announced plans to brief members of the U.S. Congress and officials linked to former President Donald Trump over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to withdraw recognition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership. The move has raised concerns about Nigeria’s electoral credibility and the ability of the opposition to participate fully in the 2027 presidential election.

INEC had earlier this week removed recognition of the ADC leadership from its official portal and suspended all formal engagement with the party, citing ongoing litigation over a leadership dispute. The commission said its action was in compliance with a Court of Appeal order directing parties to maintain the status quo until the legal matter is resolved.

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In a statement, Von Batten-Montague York L.C. said INEC’s action has effectively frozen one of Nigeria’s major opposition parties at a critical time, potentially undermining political participation, democratic processes, and election integrity. “This situation could hinder the opposition’s ability to organise and participate fully in the democratic process,” the firm stated.

The U.S. firm also highlighted Nigeria’s strategic importance to the United States in areas including regional security, economic stability, and counterterrorism, adding that the integrity of Nigeria’s elections has direct implications for U.S. interests and global stability. Accordingly, the firm plans to present its concerns to U.S. lawmakers and Trump administration officials to ensure that free, fair, and transparent elections in Nigeria remain on the international agenda.

The firm further called on President Bola Tinubu to guarantee that the upcoming elections are beyond reproach, transparent, and reflective of the will of Nigerians. It urged that no political party or faction should be disadvantaged in a manner that could compromise electoral fairness or democratic participation.

The ADC leadership dispute, involving rival factions led by Senator David Mark and others, has drawn sharp reactions locally. While INEC maintains it is acting to comply with court directives, critics argue that the decision could weaken the opposition and create uncertainty in the lead-up to the presidential elections.

Meanwhile, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has defended INEC’s actions, describing the crisis as self-inflicted by the ADC and urging compliance with the law to resolve leadership disputes ahead of election preparations.

Analysts warn that the situation underscores the importance of institutional neutrality, transparency, and timely resolution of party disputes to maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.

US Firm to Engage Trump, Congress Over INEC’s Suspension of ADC Leadership

Politics

Wike: PDP Not Financially Ready for 2027 Presidential Election

Published

9 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Trends Admin

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike

Wike: PDP Not Financially Ready for 2027 Presidential Election

Abuja, Nigeria — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) currently lacks the financial resources to sponsor a credible presidential campaign for the 2027 general elections. Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Friday, Wike emphasised that structural, strategic, and financial readiness must come before any aspirant can seriously pursue the presidency.

“As a party, the PDP does not have money,” Wike declared, highlighting the importance of personal capacity for any presidential hopeful. “Nobody alone can stand and win the presidency. Supporters and financial backers will only align with candidates who demonstrate seriousness and a realistic chance of success,” he added.

Wike stressed that the PDP’s participation in the 2027 elections remains certain, but premature declarations of ambition without planning, structure, and funding amount to a lack of seriousness. He cautioned aspirants to ensure their campaigns are properly prepared before entering the race.

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Addressing claims of internal factionalism within the PDP, Wike dismissed them, noting that disputes following the party’s national convention have been resolved. “It’s you people that are always talking about factions. We don’t know any faction,” he said. The minister also invited former party members to return, emphasising that reconciliation and unity are critical for rebuilding the PDP ahead of 2027.

On preparations for the next election, Wike revealed that the party has established a committee to assess the viability of its presidential bid, ensuring that any aspirant or strategy is supported by grassroots structures, party cohesion, and strategic planning. “You cannot just stand up and say you want to contest for president. The primary is starting soon — do you see any seriousness in that?” he asked.

Wike also defended the PDP against allegations that the ruling party is weakening opposition parties, insisting such claims are exaggerated. Drawing from his personal experience under previous administrations, he said: “If there was anybody tormented by a government, it was me. I never ran away and relied on the courts to assert my rights. That is how democracy works.”

He further criticised politicians who blame INEC or the judiciary for internal disputes, stressing that adherence to due process is essential to maintaining the integrity of democratic institutions. “Many party crises are self-inflicted,” Wike warned, urging leaders to respect laws and rules to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

Wike concluded by likening politics to a competitive but cooperative exercise: “Politics is not a fight to finish. It’s like football. We have had our differences, but if you are sincere, there is nothing left we cannot resolve together to move the party forward.”