Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers
state, Rotimi Amaechi has made bold his decision to restructure the All
Progressives Congress, APC in his state.
The APC in the state has witnessed severe cracks since the
aftermath of the 2015 general elections which saw the party fall like a pack of
cards to the formidable structure of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP under
the leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike.
It was evident that the All Progressives Congress, APC was
set for a stormy session as its leadership commences the first leg of its
restructuring.
Minister of Transportation and leader of the APC in the
South South, Amaechi arrived Port Harcourt, Thursday to preside at the meeting
where he made changes to the party structure in some Local government areas of
the state.
DAILY POST reports that the changes come on the heels of
wide speculations that Senator Magnus Abe is nursing a gubernatorial ambition
in 2019 against the plan of Amaechi for the party.
Meanwhile, in an expected decision, Amaechi announced the
removal of his former Chief of Staff, Tony Okocha and others as leaders of the
party’s caucus in their various local government areas.
An inside source who attended the meeting and pleaded
anonymity said Amaechi removed Tony Okocha as leader of the APC in Obio-Akpor
because he was no match to Governor Wike. A former Local Government Chairman,
Chikordi Dike was appointed to replace Okocha who was said to have also lost
touch with youths of the area.
Also removed is the member representing Ikwerre-Emohua
Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Chidi Wihioka as the Leader of
APC in Ikwerre Local government with Chibuike Ikenga appointed as the new
leader.
Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in
Rivers state, Worgu Boms who is the leader of APC in Port Harcourt Local
government area was replaced with Nnamdi Wokekoro.
In Etche Local government area, Reginald Ukwuoma was
appointed the new leader to take over from Allwell Nyesoh.
The leader of the party who attended the meeting confided in
DAILY POST that Amaechi took the action because those removed were accused of
working to install Senator Magnus Abe as governorship candidate of the party
for the 2019 general elections.
The Source quoted Amaechi as saying that, “I am not saying
nobody should not nurse ambition but it is too early. It is distracting our
party. We did not do well in 2015 not because we couldn’t win but because of
this same ambition.
“The party will decide who will be its Governorship
candidate at the right time and anybody who cannot wait till that time can join
another party.”
When contacted, Tony Okocha said, “It is unfortunate that I
have been removed as leader of APC caucus at a meeting I did not attend.
“The action showed the desperation of one man to muscle up
the party. ”
“They just removed me now for supporting Senator Magnus Abe.
the removal is to confirm that APC belongs to one man. Nothing to worry about
because he also appointed me.
“The one who appoints has powers to remove. Later, he would
remove Senator Wilson Ake. He has removed his former Attorney General and
Commissioner of Justice, Worgu.
“I support Abe because I believe he has the qualities, the
folowing. He has what it takes to win elections, I was not given opportunity to
defend myself. I am in Abuja when they removed me, “ he said.
By Victor Azubuike
