Di reinstated leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Rivers State don declare all di nominations from di just concluded party primaries as null and void. Di primaries wey produce Kingsley Chinda, wey be ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, as governorship candidate, plus oda candidates for National Assembly and State Assembly elections, don suffer big blow.
Justice Elfreida Oluwayemisi Williams-Dawodu of di Court of Appeal Port Harcourt Division don uphold di decision of Rivers State High Court wey nullify di congresses wey produce Chief Tony Okocha as APC chairman for di state. Dis judgement na big victory for di Emeka Beke-led faction.
Darlington Nwauju, spokesman of di reinstated faction, tok say based on di judgement, all nominations, representations, communications, and documentations wey happen on behalf of Rivers APC between December 20, 2024 and May 29, 2026, no get any effect on di party. Im also urge Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to withdraw certificate of returns wey dem issue to candidates from Okocha faction after last year local government election and give am to di candidates from Beke faction.
Di Beke faction don call on National Working Committee (NWC) of APC to quick-quick cancel di primaries wey produce Chinda and oda candidates. Di primaries don already face crisis because dem disqualify many notable members, including Ipalibo Harry Briggs, wey be immediate past deputy governor and sitting senator.
Nwauju demand seven actions, including say all nominations and decisions by di illegal executives na null and void, and say RSIEC must retrieve certificates of return wey dem give to Okocha faction candidates. Im also demand say all primaries for Rivers APC must be reviewed by NWC to avoid repeat of Zamfara State APC experience.
Di group quote Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, wey tok say disobedience to court orders na direct affront to democracy and invitation to anarchy. Dem blame Umar Ganduje-led NWC for di mess for Rivers APC, say dem ignore court rulings to install caretaker committee and organize congresses, primaries, and LGA elections.
Chinda, wey be Minority Leader of House of Reps under PDP, dey face fresh threats to im candidature. Dey be moves demanding evidence say im formally defect to APC and properly resign im position before buying form for APC for Rivers State. If di primaries wey produce Chinda and oda candidates cancel, plus di uproar for National Assembly over im emergence, im place for upcoming elections dey under heavy threat.
