APC NWC passes vote of confidence on Tony Okocha-Led Caretaker Committee despite Court rulings

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared the Chief Tony Okocha-led Caretaker Committee as the only recognized administrative body of the party in Rivers State, following a crucial meeting held on Thursday.

This decision comes in the wake of a recent Rivers State High Court ruling that sacked the caretaker committee and reinstated Emeka Beke as the party’s chairman in the state. Despite the court’s decision, the NWC has chosen to stand by the Okocha-led committee.

Addressing the press after the meeting, Deputy National Secretary of the APC, Barr. Festus Fuanter, accompanied by other NWC members, clarified the party’s stance. Fuanter explained that Emeka Beke, who was reinstated by the court, had previously been removed from his position by another court ruling.

He further disclosed that Beke had filed an appeal against his removal but expressed disappointment that Beke chose to pursue what he described as an “abuse of court processes” instead of awaiting the outcome of his appeal.

Fuanter said; “We want to categorically state and inform the public that the position of the Party, All Progressives Congress in the judgment delivered by the Rivers High Court per. Justice §. Aprioko in Suit No: PHC 3592 CS. 2023 wherein the Court reinstated the dissolved State Executive Committee that it is not binding on the Party (APC). The claimant in the said case sued the National Chairman and Secretary of our great Party and not the Party itself and you cannot sue an agent of a disclosed principal. That a Court Judgment/Ruling/Order is not binding on a person or organization that is not a party to the suit.

“In suit no: PHC/3592/CS/2023 between Sam Sam Etetegwung Vs. H.E. Abdullahi Ganduje & 7 Ors wherein the Court reinstated the Rivers State Executive Committee earlier dissolved by APC, is not binding on APC because it was not joined as a party in the suit.

“Secondly, there is a valid and subsisting Court Judgment against Chief Emeka Beke & Iheanyichukwu Azubuike (former Rivers State APC Chairman and Legal Adviser) respectively wherein they were removed from office. The said case suit No. PHC/925/CS/2023 Omiete Efrebo & 9 Ors. Vs. Chief Emeka Beke & 2 ors., were removed from office. It in pertinent to state here that the said judgment has been appealed against by Chief Emeka Beke and it is pending before the Court of Appeal.

“In view of the above, the Party still recognizes the erstwhile Caretaker Committee set up to oversee the affairs of the Party in the State”.

He said as far as the NWC is concerned, what happened was an abuse of court processes, adding that the APC would however seek legal remedy against the judgment which reinstated Beke.

Meanwhile, the NWC has announced September 12 for the meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee NEC.

According to Fuanter, the NWC discussed the issue and agreed that the party’s Caucus will meet on the eve of the NEC, September 11.

“The issue of NEC meeting, we agreed for 11 and 12 for caucus and NEC subject to approval by Mr President”, he stated.