The attention of the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has been drawn to the drivel published by Chief Tony Okocha and his infamous band of entertainers.
To start with, to have Tony Okocha and Chibuike Ikenga make press releases in the name of caretaker committee of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress shows how far these characters are ready to go in their bid to impress their paymaster, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. As you all know, there is no organ in the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State Chapter called “Caretaker Committee”. That aberrant nomenclature was held to be non-existent, illegal, null and void and duly set aside by the High Court of Rivers State presided over by Hon Justice S. H. Aprioku in Suit Nos PHC/3592/CS/2023 and PHC/3735/CS/2023. In the said suits, the Court voided the purported caretaker committee of Chief Tony Okocha and re-affirmed the validity, lawfulness and subsistence of the Chief Emeka Beke led Executive Committee of the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress.
This Judgement has not been set aside, yet Tony Okocha and his co-travelers have continued to parade and hold themselves out as “Caretaker Committee” of the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress in clear contempt of Court, deceiving themselves and seeking to deceive members of the public too.
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The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has commenced contempt proceedings against Chief Tony Okocha and his co-travelers and has caused the service of Form 48 on Chief Tony Okocha. Despite this, Tony Okocha has continued in his acts of contempt, unabating. Obviously, he is ready to go to prison for his Rumuepirikom paymaster.
To have the same Tony Okocha and his infamous team of contemnors who have been dancing around naked over the valid judgement of Hon Justice S. H. Aprioku now call on the Governor of Rivers State Sir Siminialayi Fubara to obey the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, presided over by Hon Justice Peter Lifu is to have Tony Okocha and his team try to cover their faces with one finger, it is an exercise in absolute futility.
May we reiterate the already established truth that Honourable Martin Amaewhule and the 25 other former Assembly members defected and are now members of the All Progressives Congress and as the leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, we hereby put it on record that they are members of our party and no amount of cherry -picking will change this reality.
The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress is aware that the Federal High Court is only a court of first instance and its judgement is open to appeal and so, the pronouncement of Hon. Justice Lifu is open to appeal. We advise Tony Okocha and his team to allow the judicial process run its full course.
To the best of our knowledge, there is no judgement of any Court restoring the former Assembly Members to the Assembly. The judgements of Hon. Justice Omotosho and Hon. Justice Gbasam referred to by Tony Okocha and his co-travelers did not restore them as Assembly men. Besides, these judgements are now subject of appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Tony Okocha and his co-travelers should therefore allow these appeals run their full course and stop deceiving the public. It is important that we put this record straight.
On the forthcoming Local Government elections, we declare the total support of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress for the proposed election and urge the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to proceed with the election and not allow characters like Tony Okocha and his Rumuepirikom pay master distract it. It is in the best interest of Rivers State that the election holds as scheduled to enable our local communities enjoy the dividends of democratic governance. Moreso, in view of the recent judgement of the Supreme Court in SC/CV/343/2024 between AG Federation vs AG Abia State & Ors.. Those who do not want the Local Government elections to hold are the enemies of Rivers State.
As a political party, we reiterate our avowance to continue to support Governor Fubara in his effort to improve the fortunes of our dear state.
The battle line today is drawn between those who are pro-Rivers State and who are willing to support the Governor in his development strides and those who see Rivers State as a goldmine for the Rumuepirikom imperialist. We stand with Rivers State.
Finally, we advise Tony Okocha and his co-travelers to stop parading themselves as “Caretaker Committee” of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress as the Court has restrained them from doing so.
Thank you.
Chief Emeka Beke
Chairman, Rivers State All Progressives Congress.
