In a political shakeup, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissolved its Rivers State executive committee at all levels, placing a caretaker committee under the leadership of Tony Okocha, a staunch ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The announcement came from the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, after the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday The caretaker committee, charged with overseeing party affairs until a substantive congress occurs, includes Eric Nwibani as secretary and members such as Chibuike Ikenga, Stephen Abolo, Hon. Silvester Vidin, Senibo Karibi Dan-Jumbo, and Darling Amadi.
Morka outlined the committee’s mandate, emphasising the conduct of a fresh electronic party registration in the state and preparations for congresses to establish new executive committees at various levels.
The move marks a setback for former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, embroiled in a political battle with Wike for control of Rivers State. Tony Okocha’s appointment suggests a shift in party dynamics, indicating a potential loss of Amaechi’s influence.
Recently, Okocha and Wike’s loyalists visited the APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, alleging Amaechi’s disloyalty to President Bola Tinubu during the last election. Okocha urged Tinubu to bypass Amaechi’s loyalists, advocating that all considerations go through Wike.
The longstanding feud between Amaechi and Wike over Rivers State’s control takes a new turn with this development, amplifying the power shift toward Wike as seen in recent political appointments. Notably, Tinubu appointed Wike, who actively supported him in the elections, to his cabinet, overlooking Amaechi.
