Okocha's Faction of Rivers APC Declines Participation in Local Government Elections

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The faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, led by Tony Okocha, has reaffirmed its decision to abstain from the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for October 5, 2024. This decision was announced during a meeting with party stakeholders and loyalists from all 23 local government areas of the state, held at the faction's own state secretariat on Wednesday.

Okocha explained that the ongoing legal disputes surrounding the election have cast doubt on its legitimacy. He expressed skepticism about whether the election would take place on the scheduled date and questioned its validity, particularly noting that neither the APC nor the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen were present at a stakeholders meeting convened by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).

“The issue of the APC contesting the local government elections on October 5 is under litigation,” Okocha stated. “We are not part of the decision to conduct an election on that date, and we have taken legal action to restrain the relevant agencies from proceeding.”

He further highlighted concerns about the transparency of the election process, emphasizing that the absence of major political parties like the APC and PDP casts doubt on the fairness of the election. Okocha suggested that the entire process appears to be a mere formality, with predetermined outcomes that do not reflect the will of the electorate.

Okocha also clarified that the faction's legal challenge is not due to a lack of electoral strength but rather a demand for a transparent and lawful process. He asserted that the faction has capable candidates who could win elections but insisted that they would not participate in a flawed process.

“The election, as currently arranged, does not represent the interests of the voters. It’s already predetermined,” he remarked. Okocha criticized the lack of proper consultation with his faction and other key stakeholders, which he argued was a deliberate attempt to marginalize them.

He reiterated his position as the legitimate Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, as recognized by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), and urged members to ignore any contrary claims from other factions.

Okocha concluded by commending the continued support of party members for President Bola Tinubu and assured them that the party would uphold the integrity of the President’s "Renewed Hope" agenda. The meeting was attended by several prominent members of the party, including Ojukayi Flag-Amachree, Senator Wilson Ake, and Wogu Boma.

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