“Lobby Governor Sim Fubara to Join the Party,” Eze Urges Rivers APC Leadership

Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on the newly reinstated APC executive committee in the state, led by Emeka Beke, to persuade Governor Siminalayi Fubara to join the ruling party. Eze’s appeal follows a recent judgment by a State High Court in Port Harcourt, which confirmed Emeka Beke as the legitimate state chairman and his executive team as the recognized leaders of the APC in Rivers State.

Eze also urged the Beke-led State Executive Committee to formalize the membership of 27 lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule, in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to welcome all interested parties into the APC fold. Eze emphasized the need to follow the president’s guidance to not exclude anyone willing to join the party.

The court’s ruling was a response to a suit filed by Emeka Beke and his elected executive committee, challenging the APC National Working Committee’s (NWC) decision to dissolve the state executive council and appoint a seven-member caretaker committee headed by Tony Okocha. Justice Sika, presiding over the case, found the NWC’s action unjustified and a violation of the APC constitution, affirming Beke’s four-year term and issuing a perpetual injunction against the Okocha-led committee.

Following the court’s decision, Eze urged the APC National Working Committee to honor the ruling and support Beke’s leadership to strengthen the party in Rivers State. He cautioned against any interference by non-members like Tony Okocha, asserting that the party must focus on unifying and expanding its membership.

Eze also suggested that the party’s leadership should actively encourage Governor Sim Fubara to join the APC, offering their assistance to advance the state’s progress. He portrayed the judgment as a setback for Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and his allies in the APC National Working Committee, noting that their alleged attempts to influence the judiciary had failed.

In response to Tony Okocha’s threat to appeal the judgment, Eze dismissed it as a desperate move by a “drowning man,” accusing Okocha of exploiting the party’s name for personal gain. Eze’s remarks signal a decisive moment in the political landscape of Rivers State, as the APC seeks to consolidate its influence and expand its base.