The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers has rejected Chief Tony Okocha as the newly appointed caretaker chairman of the party in the State, citing allegations that he actively worked against the party during the 2023 general elections.
The party claims that Okocha’s actions make him ineligible to lead the caretaker committee.
Speaking on Channels TV’s programme, Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Darlington Nwauju, asserted that Okocha is not a member of the APC anymore, having collaborated with Magnus Abe of Social Democratic Party (SDP) against the party during the last election.
Nwauju further accused Okocha of abstaining from campaigning for any APC candidates in Rivers.
He stated, “As I speak to you, the number one person on the caretaker committee list is not a member of the APC. Tony Okocha left the party and joined forces with Magnus Abe against the party.
“Everybody in Rivers is aware that the man never campaigned for any of the candidates of the APC in Rivers.”
“So how can a man who worked against the APC now turn around to lead the APC,” he added.
The leadership crisis within the Rivers APC appears to be deepening as the National Working Committee of the ruling APC inaugurated members of the caretaker committee for the state chapter on Friday.
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Despite the appointment of Eric Nwibani as Secretary of the seven-man caretaker committee, Nwauju’s claims cast doubt on the legitimacy of His chairmanship.
During the committee’s inauguration, APC National Chairman, Sen Abdullahi Ganduje, urged the newly appointed members to work towards securing Rivers State for the ruling party in preparation for the 2027 general elections.