The crisis rocking the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a complex turn, with the Emeka Beke’s faction of the party flayed the National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje over his handling of the conflict in the state.
The lambasting was centered on Ganduje’s alleged disregard for court orders and his attempt to rewrite the history of the party in Rivers State.
At the heart of the crisis is a judgement delivered by Honourable Justice Sika Aprioku of the State High Court on August 12th, 2024, in favour of all elected officers of the party in the state.
The judgement, which was delivered in Suit No PHC/3592/CS/2023 – Sam Sam Etetegwung & Otrs Vs Alhaji Ganduje & Otrs, and Suit No. PHC/3735/CS/2023 – Chief Barnax Ezeboy Enyi & Otrs Vs APC & Otrs, restrained Ganduje from dissolving the party’s executives in Rivers State.
The party in a press briefing in Port Harcourt on monday noted that despite the judgement, Ganduje’s National Working Committee (NWC) has continued to recognize and inaugurated another State Executive committee a move that has been described as contemptuous of court.
Nwauju argued that Ganduje’s actions are not only undemocratic but also unconstitutional, citing Section 46 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
He also pointed out that a similar move by Ganduje to dissolve the party’s executives in Benue State was nullified by a Makurdi High Court on November 28th, 2024.
Nwauju accused Ganduje of trying to delete the memories of APC supporters who lost their lives during the 2015, 2019, and 2023 elections.
He also alleged that Ganduje is trying to ensure that justice is not served on the sponsors and perpetrators of the violence.
The Rivers APC spokesperson also criticized Ganduje’s decision to sanction media briefings by members of his NWC, which sought to justify his illegal decision to set up caretaker committees and denigrate court judgments.
In addition, Nwauju pointed out that another court presided over by Justice Godswill Obomanu has nullified the so-called congresses a development that has further complicated the crisis.
The APC spokesperson expressed concern over the fate of the party, given Ganduje’s leadership style, and called on Nigerians to take note of the complexities of the court issues cited in the crisis.
