The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, under the leadership of Tony Okocha, held its party congresses on Saturday, describing the process as peaceful, despite a court order that had restrained the party from conducting the exercise.
The congresses were reportedly monitored by officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Department of State Services, and the police.
The congresses took place after the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, led by Justice G.V. Obomanu, issued an interim injunction on Wednesday, preventing the APC from proceeding with the congresses.
The injunction followed a suit filed by three disgruntled party members—Okwudili Ndike, Peace Oganu, and Samuel Uchegbule—who claimed that they had paid for nomination forms but were denied access to them, according to Guardian.
Despite the court order, the APC proceeded with the congresses, and Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Committee, praised the process.
According to a statement from the APC Publicity Secretary in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Jacobs Chimezie, Okocha participated in the congress after casting his vote in his home local government area of Obio-Akpor.
Okocha expressed his gratitude to the party leaders in Ikwerre LGA for their strong turnout and urged them to stay dedicated to the party’s vision.
Key party stakeholders from Ikwerre LGA who attended the Local Government Congress included Chibike Ikenga, the State Publicity Secretary of APC Rivers State; former House of Representatives member Chidi Wihioka; Ezemoye Ezekiel Amadi; Dr. Anosike Joseph Orduwa; Emma Amadi; Dr. Steve Worgu; Chizi Nyeomasila; Obinna Ekem; and Charles Wobodo, among others.
