Prof. Lawrence Chuku, a longstanding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has called on fellow members to throw their support behind the Tony Okocha-led Caretaker Committee (CTC) for the party’s advancement.
He emphasized that factionalism is no longer prevalent within the Rivers APC and advised party members, especially leaders, to acknowledge the newly appointed leadership sanctioned by the APC National Working Committee (NWC). Chuku urged members to refrain from engaging in any clandestine activities within the party, stating that such efforts would prove futile.
The professor conveyed this message during a visit alongside party leaders from Obio-Akpor Local Government to extend congratulations and solidarity to the CTC members in Port Harcourt. The group, identifying themselves as concerned APC leaders in Obio-Akpor, expressed unwavering loyalty to the new leadership. They also encouraged members to reconcile with one another for the greater good of the party.
He said: “We have no name; we’re concerned leaders of APC in Obio-Akpor Local Government. We have come here today to congratulate you and your exco on your appointment. We’re here to show solidarity and our unalloyed commitment to work with this Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Okocha.
“This step is necessary since there cannot be two APC factions in Rivers State. It is only one APC that is recognised by the National Working Committee (NWC).”
“We have also come to say that we are committed to APC in Rivers State under your leadership and we’re committed to the APC under the national leadership of Abdullahi Ganduje and our national leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is basically why we are here.”
He appealed to aggrieved members to place the success and progress of the party above their anger and personal interests and join hands to rebuild the party.
“I want to take this opportunity to tell members of APC in Rivers State that today the National Working Committee (NWC) has deemed it fit to appoint Okocha and his team to lead this party, to bring everybody together. No matter where you think you were offended, I am calling on every member of our party in Rivers State to forget the past and work with this CTC led by Okocha.”
Corroborating Chuku, the former chairman of APC in Obio-Akpor Local Government, Sydney Ihechie, said: “You know the character of most of us here that we’re not the kind of people who are pushed because of stomach infrastructure. When we say we’re with you, we’re with you and when we say we’re not with you, even when heaven can fall, we’re not with you.
“We’re saying 100 per cent we are with you and your team, as far as Obio-Akpor Council is concerned.
“Please open your arms as a father and welcome everyone of us. In power struggle, you must step on toes, but what is important is that when there is victory, you must bring everybody together as a father. This is the essence of leadership.”
Okocha promised to integrate every member of the party into the system, but warned against sinister motives.
He said it was time for the party to prepare and strategise on how to win elections in Rivers and not time to engage in quarrels.
Okocha insisted that Governor Siminialayi Fubara should be prepared to conduct another round of council election for a fresh tenure of office and not think of appointing CTC, as that had been outlawed by the Supreme Court.
