-● Urges Rivers people to ignore the actions of one Tony Okocha
By PHC Telegraph
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress
in Rivers State has thrown its weight fully behind the conduct of the local government election by RSIEC.
The party in a letter to the Chairman of the National Independent Electoral Commission affirmed that it is fully taking part in the council elections which is expected to hold in four days time.
In the letter titled “Re: Position of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) on the forthcoming Local Government Election in Rivers State Vis-a-vis the Judgement in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/987/2024″, the APC disclosed that it has already forwarded a list of candidates who would be flying the party’s flag.
According to the notice forwarded to the INEC Chairman by the Chairman of the Rivers chapter of the APC, Chief Emeka Beke and Secretary, Sam Sam Etetegwung, Tony Okocha neither has the locus to parade as the Chairman of a so-called caretaker committee nor the authority to speak or act on behalf of the party.
Chief Tony OkochaIt cited the decision of a Port Harcourt High Court presided by Justice Aprioku which threw out Okocha as a Caretaker Committee Chairman and confirmed the leadership of Chief Beke.
“We, however, hereby notify you that Chief Tony Okocha, who filed that suit purportedly as ‘Chairman, Caretaker Committee’ of the All Progressives
Congress, Rivers State Chapter, is an impostor and totally unknown to the Rivers Chapter of the All Progressives Congress.
“He is neither the Chairman nor is he a leader in any capacity whatsoever. He (Chief Tony Okocha) does not also have the authority of the leadership of the party in Rivers State as constituted under Chief Emeka Beke, to file or maintain the said suit on its behalf.
Chief Emeka Beke“We are equally aware that on the 4th day of September, 2024, the High Court of Rivers State per Hon Justice I. P. C. Igwe in Suit No. PHC/2696/CS/2024 between Action Peoples Party (APP) and Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has given a judgement compelling the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to proceed with the local government election scheduled for 5th October, 2024 or any other date of its choice.
“That judgement, being first-in-time to the latter judgement in FHC /ABJ/CS/987/2024, takes precedence. As we all know, when two equities are equal, the first in time prevails”, the APC insisted.
It further declared, “Under the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, all issues
relating to the participation in the local government elections are within the authority of the State Executive Committee.
“So, it is the Executive Committee as led by himself (Chief Emeka Beke) that determines whether and how the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress is to participate in the forthcoming local government elections in Rivers State.”
The All Progressives Congress recalled that the nation’s Apex Court had earlier in a judgement ordered governments in the federation, including that of the Rivers State, to organise local government elections.
As the party put it, “What matters is that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had already ordered the Government of Rivers State to conduct Local Government Elections in Rivers State within three months of judgement.”
Given that background, the APC stressed, “the Federal High Court cannot lawfully overrule the Supreme Court by stopping the holding of the said election.”
“It is on the above premise, that we write to notify you and your commission (INEC) that the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress totally supports the holding of the Local Government elections in Rivers State on the 5th of October, 2024.
“The Party is participating in the elections, and have indeed, submitted the names of its candidates for the various positions.”