The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State may have settled for a consenus arrangement ahead of the rescheduled October 16, State Congress of the party.
Credible sources within the party said the decision was arrived at to avoid rancour and acrimony during the excercise which may further tear the party apart if allowed to happen.
Investigations revealed that out of the three aspirants for the position of chairman, Hon. Oji Ngofa, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands; Chief Emeka Beke, and Dr. Godstime Orlukwu, Beke seems to have had the upper hand.
The leader of the party in the state and Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi, has reportedly endorsed Beke.
The endorsement of Beke, a former State Secretary of the party has not gone down well with many party faithful but it is difficult to challenge his choice because of the consequences that may come with that action.
According to a senior member of the party between the three aspirants that indicated interest, Hon. Ngofa would have been the best choice because of his astuteness and experience in national politics, having served in the past as APC’s Deputy National Secretary.
“Beke does not have the capacity like Ngofa to lead Rivers APC to victory in 2023. Also, he is part of those who contributed to the setback we have experienced as a party.
“I feel that the Honourable Minister should have a rethink of his choice, otherwise, we all may regret it”, he said.
Our correspondent observed that realising the greenlight shown to him, Beke has intensified his campaigns across the state, reaching out to all APC stalwarts in the 23 local government areas.
Last week, his campaign train visited the Leader of the APC in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (PHALGA), Sir Collyns Owhonda, in his office, where he pledged to run an all-inclusive administration if elected.
APC sources also said that a former spokesman of the party, Alabo Chris Finebone, who hails from Opobo/Nkoro LGA will be returning to that office.
Finebone’s tenure as the party’s spokesman was very rewarding to the APC as he kept the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state on its toes with constant criticism of some of its policies and programmes considered anti-people.
His return may bring back the eroding vibrancy in the party, especially with the exit of the immediate past spokesman, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, who recently left the APC for the PDP.
Meanwhile, the APC in Rivers State at the weekend inaugurated its 23 Local Government Areas’ party chairmen who were elected on September 4.
Outgoing Caretaker Chairman, Isaac Ogbobula, thanked God for the successes of the ward and local government area congresses and congratulated the chairmen for emerging victorious.
He charged them to be good ambassadors of the party and bring every member on board.
“You must accommodate every interest, as managing all tendencies is fundamental to strengthening the party at the grassroots,” he said.