A new crisis has erupted within the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) caretaker Committee in Rivers State, led by Tony Okocha, due to the Chairman’s failure to involve other committee members in decision-making.
In a recent development, a disgruntled member of the Committee, speaking anonymously to our correspondent, has accused Tony Okocha, who also serves as the Rivers State Representative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), of treating the Party as his personal estate.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC, led by Abdullahi Ganduje, dissolved the Rivers State exco, headed by Chief Emeka Beke, on November 22, 2023, and appointed a 7-member caretaker Committee. This Committee includes Chief Tony C. Okocha as Chairman and Chief Eric Nwibani as Secretary, among others are; Hon. Chibuike Ikenga, Prince, Stephen Abolo, Hon. Silvester Vidin, Senibo Karibi Dan-Jumbo and Miss Darling Amadi
He expressed frustration at the lack of progress in reconciling aggrieved members and preparing for Party primaries under Okocha’s leadership. He criticized Okocha for not involving other committee members in decision-making and for focusing on personal matters rather than party affairs.
“During our inauguration, we were tasked with a mandate as Committee members, but its annoying how the Chairman is running the affairs like his Personal estate. Today he will tell you he is Abuja tomorrow he will tell you he is in lagos and next tomorrow he will tell you he is on an assignment with the Managing Director of NDDC”
“Can he tell us when last we sat together as committee members to discuss or brainstorm on how to move the party forward. We only hear different press against the Governor, Siminalayi Fubara like he is the only person in the Committee, what happened to chibuike Ikenga and the secretary Eric.
The member highlighted the absence of regular committee meetings and discussions on moving the party forward, pointing out that Okocha’s actions have been detrimental to the Committee’s mandate. He also mentioned the need to address negative press against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the lack of communication with other key committee members.
The member concluded by stating that the Committee will soon make its position clear and send a letter to the National Working Committee of the party.
