The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned efforts by factional chairman Tony Okocha to halt revenue allocation to the 23 local governments in the state.
The party said Mr. Okocha’s continued assertion of leadership status undermines the valid court judgment that removed the faction chairman and his seven-member caretaker committee from office. insisted.
Rivers APC spokesperson Darlington Nwawuju in a statement on Sunday stressed that the APC can no longer remain passive on political issues affecting the people of the state.
He further criticized Okocha’s court motion to suspend allocations to local governments, arguing that the measure seeks to destroy the livelihoods of countless Rivers residents who depend on the local government system.
Mr. Nwawuju said, “After more than nine months of litigation, Okocha and his friends, who neither believe nor respect the judgment of the High Court that annulled the so-called appointment by the NWC, are openly boasting that they have obtained a judgment from the court. It’s shameful that we are doing so.” By suspending allocations to local governments in Rivers State, the Court of Adjustment Jurisdiction in Abuja has frustrated thousands of Rivers residents whose livelihood and survival depend on the local government system, especially council officers. . ”
The APC called on the judiciary to maintain its independence and avoid becoming an instrument of politically motivated agendas.
The party also confirmed that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) acted in accordance with its mandate as an independent body and conducted local government elections in the state.
“We do not believe that the judiciary should continue to be manipulated by desperate politicians to the point of abolishing affidavits in the name of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State. Meanwhile, Port Harcourt While the competent court of , took a contrary position to this judgment, the apparatus claimed to be represented by Tony Okocha (see case number PHC/3592/CS/2023).
“We support the fact that electoral bodies are expected to be independent and neutral and must be prepared to resist interference from the courts.
“We believe that this has been done by RSIEC in Rivers State by conducting local government elections in Rivers State on October 5, 2024,” the statement reads in part.
