Despite a court injunction, the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) successfully held its party congresses on Saturday, with reports indicating a peaceful atmosphere throughout the process.
The exercise was monitored by officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the police, ensuring a smooth and transparent outcome.
The development comes in the wake of a court ruling, which had prohibited the APC from conducting the congresses. The court order was issued in response to a lawsuit filed by three party members who alleged that they had paid for nomination forms but were later excluded from obtaining them.
Notwithstanding the court’s directive, the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Tony Okocha, praised the congresses, commending the party leaders and stakeholders who participated in the exercise.
In a statement issued by the APC Publicity Secretary in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Jacobs Chimezie, Okocha was said to have monitored the congress at the council after casting his vote in his hometown of Obio-Akpor. He also expressed gratitude to the party leaders in Ikwerre LGA for their massive turnout and urged them to remain committed to the APC’s vision.
The statement listed several prominent party stakeholders who attended the Local Government Congress, including the State Publicity Secretary of APC Rivers State, Chibike Ikenga; former Member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Chidi Wihioka; and several other notable figures.
