8th February, 2022
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Chairman of Rivers Chapter of All Progressives congress, APC,Chief Emeka Beke has said the era of different individuals claiming to be of officials of the party in the state is over.
Beke stated this while inaugurating the State Working Committee (SWC) and State Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Party Monday in Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Beke said: “No man will ever again claim to be APC State Chairman after today, except me. I have my mandate as the duly elected Chairman of this Party in Rivers State. If he tries it he will be made to face the law.”
Beke also served notice on the governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike to be prepared to engage the APC in fair contest as 2023 approaches and not to use the judiciary to undermine and destabilize the party.
“If the governor is a man, he should come to the field and contest elections with the APC without resorting to the misuse of the state judiciary to undermine and destabilize our party,” he said.
The new Rivers APC Chairman was received by mammoth crowd made up of party leaders and members when he arrived at Port Harcourt from Abuja where he was sworn in as the chairman of the party.
The party faithful across the local government areas of Rivers State, who arrived the airport as early as 8.00am, waited until the afternoon when eventually the flight on which Mr. Beke was onboard, touched down.
Upon sighting the chairman, who was accompanied by some state leaders of the party, the crowd burst into songs, and unable to hold back their joy, lifted him shoulder high to the honking of car horns and drumming by young men.
From the airport the crowd moved to the Rivers State APC Secretariat located in the Government Reservation Area, in Port Harcourt.
He then drove in a long motorcade to the party State Secretariat where he immediately carried out the inauguration.
Beke thanked God, the Leader of APC in the State, Rotimi Amaechi and party members for the opportunity to serve as the State Party Chairman after being overwhelmingly voted for at the last State Congress of the Party.
“Let me first of all thank the Almighty God who makes all things beautiful at his own time for giving me life to see this day. May His name alone be praised in Jesus’ name.
“Please, join me in thanking my Leader, our Leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for being the tool whom God used to bring me to this enviable position that is full of enormous challenges. I pray God Almighty to give me the grace and wisdom to lead our party to victory come 2023.
“This is a new dawn in the history of our Party. I assure all Party members of a level playing field and equal opportunities.
“This is the era to pursue, overtake and recover all that the enemy has stolen from our dear Rivers State. Together in one accord, we shall succeed in Jesus’ name,” Chief Beke summed up.
Those inaugurated include Mr. Omiete Eferebo (Deputy Chairman); Hon. Sam Sam Etetegwung (State Secretary); Mr. Fredrick Oyor (State Deputy Secretary); Obidinma Igwe (Senatorial Vice Chairman 1, Rivers East); Pius Kpai (Senatorial Vice Chairman 2, Rivers South-East); and Emine Awoala Joybel (Senatorial Vice Chairman 3, Rivers West). Others are Dike Iheanyichukwu, Esq. (Legal Adviser); Akwe Maxwell Teh (Treasurer); Chigbo John (Financial Secretary); Christian Don-Pedro (Organising Secretary); Senibo Chris Finebone (Publicity Secretary); Tamuno Nancy Stephen (Welfare Secretary); Chidi Nweke (Auditor); Beatrice Dappa Awobi (Women Leader); Comrade Baridakara Gbarato (Youth Leader); and Enyinda Chike (Special/Physically Challenged Leader), amongst others.
Our Correspondent reports that a suit earlier filed by Senator Magnus Abe faction of the party to stop the swearing in of Chief Emeka Beke along with other elected Chairmen by the national leadership of the party in Abuja was adjourned until February 14.
The litigants had claimed in their affidavit that they were excluded from the Statewide Congress that returned Beke as chairman.