After several efforts by the Buni led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at reconciling members and rebuilding the distressed chapter of the party in Rivers State, hope still seems not to be on sight as peace appears to have taken perpetual flight from the circle of the Rivers Progressives family which has long been enmeshed in the turbulent waters of legal mechanics and acrobatics and which culminated in the denial of the party its constitutionally guaranteed right to field candidates for national and state parliamentary seats and other positions in government during the 2019 polls.

This revelation was made by the erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (A PC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, in a statement made available to media houses, Wednesday 16 December, 2020.

According to the party chief, a critical scrutiny and in-depth analysis of the body languages and verbal expressions of Chief Igo Aguma and Senator Magnus Abe on recent developments in the All Progressives Congress succinctly suggest that the duo may have sworn to an oath with the devil never to allow the Rivers APC take up the responsibility and play the necessary roles befitting of a responsible, progressive, people-oriented and democratically inclined political organization in the state.

With the litany of available facts and records in connection with their satanic artifice against the party and her teeming members and supporters, Chief Eze said it will be foolhardy for the leadership of the APC to tolerate their renewed onslaught and treat them with kids gloves given the fact that this times are too serious for the party to continue to accommodate serial saboteurs.

For the duo to continue to boast in the open that the party will no longer exist let alone participate in the 2023 general elections is enough reason not only to sanction but expel them as a matter of urgency, unless the party hierarchy is conniving and cooperating with this same known mercenaries of the Peoples Democratic Party and Gov. Wike, to exterminate the Rivers state chapter of the APC.

“The singular fact that Abe, Aguma and their cohorts have defiled the directive of President Mohammadu Buhari and the leadership of the party to the effect that court cases instituted by party members should be withdrawn is enough reason to lead the moles to the exit door and allow for sanity within the progressives fold”. Eze lamented.

Given the reality that majority of their allies have left them for the PDP which clearly indicates that they will no longer have the capacity to compete for any position in the party after the membership update and revalidation excerise billed to commence by January, 2020, the duo prefer to ensure that the excerise will not take place in the State. This is nothing but sheer witchcraftcy, gross cowardice and it is diabolical and highly condemnable.

Eze described Aguma’s recent statement questioning Amaechi’s credentials to aspire for any higher position in Nigeria though laughable as coming from a misguided, demented and dammed mind that needs our collective prayers Psychiatric evaluation For a fellow like Aguma who because of hunger and questionable political intents to question Amaechi’s credentials knowing whom Amaechi is and what he has achieved politically in Nigeria simply demonstrates that Aguma has gone so down and needs an immediate help before his case becomes irredeemable.

The party stalwart specifically pointed out that recent statement credited to former Rivers South/East representative at the Red Chambers of the National Assembly, Sen. Magnus Abe, unambiguously suggests that the Ogoni-born politician and his band of goofy and sycophantic followers may be scheming to throw the party into yet another round of crisis in the continuous pursuit of their selfish private vendatta notwithstanding the shame and fatal misfortune they brought to the APC during the electioneering period preceding the 2019 polls which was the nadir of the whole misadventure.

Sen. Magnus Abe, had in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Parry Saroh Benson, described as an act of impunity, the inauguration of the local government and ward Caretaker Committees of the APC in Rivers State, adding that “it was the same attitude of insensibility that has kept the party comatose in Rivers State”.

Further excerpts from the statement read “It is this imperial approach to the challenges facing the party without the input and consultation of other stakeholders, that is responsible for the crisis in the party. It is clear that those who believe in the power of man are once again on the move.

“It is indeed unfortunate at this critical time in the political game, that the APC in Rivers State has learnt nothing and forgotten nothing, it appears that the minister and his supporters are still hell-bent on “their way or the highway”.

“The end result of this kind of behaviour is not difficult to predict. As usual, it will end in failure. When it fails, Nigerians should note that the choice of impunity, disrespect for party members, exclusion of critical stakeholders, contempt for judicial pronouncements and petty arrogance, over humility and inclusiveness is the foundation of our serial failure as a party”.

Reacting to the balderdash and stuff and nonsense, Chief Eze said Abe may have gone conscienceless, pointing out that only a man who has lost cognitive orientation will display the level of desperation over an inordinate ambition as Abe did in 2018/19, and without remorse, still reserve the temerity to make reckless comments with impunity in the public space.

He said in saner climes, the likes of Abe would not only be hiding their faces in shame, but also be isolated from partisan politics, having traded the very fair electoral fortunes of the APC for a paltry bowl of stew like the biblical Esau and loosing everything remaining of his integrity and sense of morality.

Admonishing the APC to be weary of Sen. Abe and his usual satanic schemings and artifice, the party stalwart said investigations have revealed that the People’s Democratic Party has declared Sen. Abe a persona non grata, and as a result, he is bared from seeking membership of the party, given his antecedents and defective political moorings which wrecked havoc on the Rivers APC in the recent past.

He described the continuous stay of Sen. Abe, Igo Aguma and others in the All Progressives Congress as a gross misnomer, a huge threat to the much desired peace and anticipated tranquillity and called on the Gov. Mai Mala Buni led Caretaker Committee to expel the former Rivers South/East Senator and his ally, Aguma, from the party for making themselves willing tools in the hands of Gov. Wike and the PDP at the detriment of a party they claim to be members.

The party Chief said the APC has shown more than fair leniency to Abe to the tune of considering him for an appointment. He averred that allowing Abe to always get away with undue concessions will only empower him to ask for more without respect for what is right.

He described the antecedents of the former Secretary to the State Government as a practical exhibition of crude desperation for power, stressing that his ambition, if unchecked, is capable of relegating democracy to the background as it remains a nightmare to the free exercise of franchise by citizens as guaranteed by national laws and international treaties.

Eze commended members of the Caretaker And Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress, led by Gov. Buni of Yobe state, for their commitment towards stabilizing the party across the states and assured them the support of all progressives of good will.

The party stalwart also congratulated the Rivers APC Caretaker Committee headed by Barr. Isaac Abbott Obuogbula for their appointment and subsequent inauguration. He described the constitution of Caretaker Committees at the local government area and ward levels as a strategic step to fill every speculative gap in the leadership of the party at all strata.

Ends

Signed

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has again expressed misgivings on the trending ploy to contract former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan into the 2023 presidential race, the media consultant described proponents of the scheme as political jobbers and desperados conscripted to rubbish the hard earned integrity and reputation of the ex Nigeria leader. He called on Dr. Jonathan and Niger Delta leaders to be weary of such satanic conspiracy which he said would be fatal to the growth and development of the oil rich region. He described such a plot as a scheme to deny the South its rightful two terms come 2023.

Eze maintained that those canvassing and plotting this satanic plot is to make the Southern section of Nigeria to only be entitled to one Term and for power to be shifted to the North after his single term if he wins the 2023 election. To me, this group and her supporters should bury such thought as this plot is already dead on arrival.

On the future of the politics of Nigeria, I must reiterate that the zoning principle based on the spirit of equity, fairness and goodness must be sustained and encouraged. Here, Gov. Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau and other great leaders of this country who have continued to voice their support that the next President of Nigeria must come from the Southern part of Nigeria need to be commended and congratulated as anything short of this is invitation to anarchy.

Eze in another development expressed a deep sense of disappointment over the crop of defectors from Rivers State, APC who recently left the APC to pitch their tents with the People’s Democratic Party. He said the multitude of trashes presented as reasons for their departure from the APC can at best be described as mere balderdash and destitute of reality, only meriting the waste bin.

In a statement made available to media houses, the party chief lashed at the former progressives whom he described as lacking in the minimum standard sense of reasoning prescribed for every human of average intelligence, for failing to strike a balance between the head and the heart and say ‘no’ when occasion demanded, stressing that such is the ultimate standard of measurement for real men with will power.

Eze said, one would have loved to see a situation where ideological orientation and the love for service to God and humanity precedes self in the decision to resign their membership 0f the APC, stressing that indiscriminate change of party at the slightest provocation without more, merely makes a mockery of basic democratic principles.

The party stalwart called on members of the public and party faithful to disregard the misguided individuals whom he described as remnants of the collapsed Abe structure who were willing tools in the hands of the devil and have wrecked more havoc on the Rivers APC especially, the painful denial of Rivers people their fundamental right of choosing their representatives in the parliament and other positions in government.

He counselled politicians to be inspired and driven by the will to serve and make remarkable imprints with which they will be remembered at the end of their voyage in the public space, rather than randomly jump parties for the sole purpose of grabbing public offices to impoverish the citizens and leave the masses in perpetual squalor without a hint of remorse.

Similarly, the party bigwig hailed former members of the Peoples Democratic Party, who left the perforated umbrella that could no longer shield them in rainy days, for the progressives’ family over the weekend. He said the former PDP members had very basic and genuine grievances for leaving their former political organization to join the APC especially, given the obvious fact that Rivers people have been denied every benefit accruable to them in a democracy under the PDP/Wike led state government.

Former Governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (2015), Chief Hon. Ibinabo Michael West; former Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Dr. John Bazie and former Member, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Ipalibo Bereto George were among people of goodwill and patriots who joined the Rivers APC and were received by the South-South leader of the party and Nigeria’s Transportation Minister, HE., Rt. Hon. Dr. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi CON.

Others are: erstwhile Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State, Barr. Chima Obinna; Chief Salvation Ezegwogwo and former Chairman, Implementation Committee on Business Place Registration, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Johnny Soye Lulu Barango.

Congratulating the new entrants, Eze urged them to mobilize their wealth of experience towards the ongoing rebuilding process aimed at stabilizing the party to take over the Brick House in 2023.

He called on leaders and members across board to participate in the membership revalidation exercise and woo others to join the progressives family and obtain their membership slip for identification and record purposes, stressing that the move is aimed at strengthening the party and repositioning it for better future outings.

In a separate development, the party chieftain commended President Mohammadu Buhari and members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the dissolution of all zonal, state, LGA and ward structures and committees of the party, to give room for a holistic overhaul of the system and resolution of all crisis ravaging the various chapters of the party in the country.

He commended the extension of the tenure of the Mai Buni led Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the APC by six months, stressing that the elongation will allow the party put modalities in place for a successful national convention as well as a hitch free planned nation wide membership revalidation exercise billed to commence soon.

Eze counseled the leadership of the party to be fair to all sections of the country in considering the appropriate zone due for the 2023 presidency. He said such critical decision is pivotal to the electoral chances of the party in the next general elections and thus, called on the party to play fairly and safely too for the good of all.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, Sunday, during the inauguration of the executive committee members of a political pressure group; the Amaechi Vanguard, Chief Eze, represented by Hon. Benson Nwachukwu, said the position of the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi in the hearts of Nigerians remain incontrovertible, considering the giant strides he is making to the pride of Nigeria and indeed, Nigerians.

He cautioned those scheming to destroy the Rivers APC in a bid to rubbish the Minister to have a rethink and desist from such untoward endeavor, reiterating that such plots will always turn out to be wasteful ventures and efforts in futility. He called on all stakeholders to join hands with the Minister to reposition the party in Rivers state into a better, strong and virile All Progressives Congress, for the general good of Rivers people.

Ends

Signed

Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze

APC Chieftain & former National Publicity Secretary, nPDP

A political pressure group that goes by the name “TeamCole” has called for the immediate Resolution of Crisis in Rivers State APC.

The group in a statement signed by Rex David, DG/Coordinator TeamCole, said its it is with a joyous spirit that we thank God for keeping us alive, through this difficult year. From covid-19 to the EndSARS protest, we join Nigerians in solidarity as we recognize the genuine pains and suffering, the Nigerian people had to go through. However at this extraordinary meeting of the leadership of TeamCole, we feel obliged to bring to the notice of all party faithful, the concerns and frustration expressed by our members and a sure majority of our young party members on the continuous rancor by splinter groups within the Rivers State APC that has left the party without a direction for the past two years.

Text of the statement reads: “Before we begin, it is important I state that, to give us a standard unbiased look, the group which started as a pressure group, working for the victory of the APC candidate in the last gubernatorial elections, Arch. Tonye Cole; deliberated and considered a change of name but decided that further consultation be done. This is to create room for expansion and a broader coordinated goal. However, we totally believe in the principles of Tonye Cole, we see him as a true leader which Rivers State rightly deserves, an upright man with a clear focus and we will continue to stand firmly on his ideals. So we call on everyone from all divide to join us as we forge a new path for our party and dear state. For emphasis, we remain totally committed and loyal to the leader of the party, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

“Now to face the blunt reality, we want to charge APC youths not to be fooled by the antics of some of their leaders. This has largely been self-centered. Firstly, it is reported that Hon. Igo Aguma’s anger with the leader of the party in the state is due to the transfer of his wife, who is currently working as a top administrator in NIMASA, from her initial London base back to Nigeria. Can this be the reason for the current unrest in the Rivers State APC? How selfish!

“Distinguished Senator Magnus Abe whose actions and inactions cost the APC the opportunity of contesting in the last election, as well as denied many young people the opportunity to pursue their political ambitions, is currently serving as a member on the board of NNPC. He has been compensated for his fight but has destroyed the dreams of many young people.

“Due to the instability within the All Progressives Congress, many of our youths were left with no option but to decamp to the Peoples Democratic Party. These youths have electoral value. And even though many would have loved to remain in the party they had so labored for, they were forced to settle for our opponents just to have the opportunity to pursue their political dreams.

“We are hereby appealing to our members across the state to remain faithful to the party. They should draw their strength in the recent comments of our leader during the occasion of the decamping of the former governorship aspirant, Michael West and other top PDP members to the APC. Our leader said, “I don’t give money, I build people”. This statement brings hope. So, we call on party leaders across the state to do all within their powers to unite members across their various localities.

“We condemn the recent call for party members to gather for verification over federal government N30, 000 stipends. It is wicked and will cause a lot of discomfort for the less privileged masses. We call on the attention of whoever is in charge, to stop henceforth and pay all whose account details have been submitted. We don’t need physical verification as BVN remains the best way to verify accounts.

“Our next point comes from the concern and frustration expressed by most party members over appointees into federal agencies. They have refused to use their good office to help build members of the party. We will ask them to look back and learn from some of those who recently served. And if they continue to be non-impactful to the party, we call on our leader to replace them with new persons, preferable younger person with proven records that can make positive impact.

“Enough of this total dependence on Amaechi. Many of our leaders have benefitted in no small measure from Amaechi, however they have refused to help him grow the party. They depend solely on Amaechi to function. And even when support is given them, it never gets to the party members that so need and deserve it.

“Today, the faith of APC in Rivers State is largely been held by the youths on social media. While nothing is happening at the unit level, the social media space still continues to keep the party alive. Everyone adding their voice to keeping the party alive deserves our gratitude. However, elections are not won on social media alone but largely by the boots on ground on election day. Many of whom are in their localities with no access to Internet.

“In few months, there will be local government elections in the state. And it’s another opportunity for hundreds of our youths to follow their dreams and grow their political careers by either becoming the next Chairman or Councilor in their local government. Are we ready?

“So, we are appealing to all well-meaning youths of Rivers State to ignore the fear of victimization or sycophancy and support this call for an end to the issues bedeviling the party so we can have the opportunity to move the party forward and contest in the fourth coming LGA elections.

“As the leader of the party in the state, we assure His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of our total support across the state. The same way on the party’s mandate we mobilized under Tonye Cole in 2019, we will continue to mobilize behind him as he strives to unite our party again.

“We support the reforms by the National Executive Council (NEC) of our party which approves the dissolution of all structures and conduct of fresh congresses to elect new party leaders at all levels. Also we frown at the information reaching us that some of our members instituted new cases at the court after the December 7th NEC meeting. To this effect, we express our frustration and call on all party elders and leaders to finally wade in to stop this madness. However, we want to drop a sound warning that if the party fails to settle her internal problems within the next 60days, we the youths will have no choice but to ask all our party acclaimed/appointed leaders in all the LGAs to step aside for new leadership. We shall also approach Mr. President to intervene for progress of the party.

“We are using this medium to inform the Chairman of the APC National Caretaker Committee, His Excellency Gov. Mai Mala Buni of the current situation of the party in the state and our resolve as youths to ensure this party bounces back to life.

“APC belongs to all. Whether you are from Opobo, Ikwerre, Ogoni, Kalabari or non-indigene, you have a stake. As long as you reside in Rivers State; you have a stake. APC is a party for all and will remain that way. We encourage you to keep faith in the APC and continue to trust in the leadership of Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi as he continues to build on the legacy of our dear President, Muhammadu Buhari.”