Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers state, Rotimi Amaechi has made bold his decision to restructure the All Progressives Congress, APC in his state.
The APC in the state has witnessed severe cracks since the aftermath of the 2015 general elections which saw the party fall like a pack of cards to the formidable structure of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP under the leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike.
It was evident that the All Progressives Congress, APC was set for a stormy session as its leadership commences the first leg of its restructuring.
Minister of Transportation and leader of the APC in the South South, Amaechi arrived Port Harcourt, Thursday to preside at the meeting where he made changes to the party structure in some Local government areas of the state.
The changes might not be unconnected to the wide speculations that Senator Magnus Abe is nursing a gubernatorial ambition in 2019 against the plan of Amaechi for the party.
Meanwhile, in an expected decision, Amaechi announced the removal of his former Chief of Staff, Tony Okocha and others as leaders of the party’s caucus in their various local government areas.
An inside source who attended the meeting and pleaded anonymity said Amaechi removed Tony Okocha as leader of the APC in Obio-Akpor because he was no match to Governor Wike. A former Local Government Chairman, Chikordi Dike was appointed to replace Okocha who was said to have also lost touch with youths of the area.
Also removed is the member representing Ikwerre-Emohua Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Chidi Wihioka as the Leader of APC in Ikwerre Local government with Chibuike Ikenga appointed as the new leader.
Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers state, Worgu Boms who is the leader of APC in Port Harcourt Local government area was replaced with Nnamdi Wokekoro.
In Etche Local government area, Reginald Ukwuoma was appointed the new leader to take over from Allwell Nyesoh.
The leader of the party who attended the meeting confided in DAILY POST that Amaechi took the action because those removed were accused of working to install Senator Magnus Abe as governorship candidate of the party for the 2019 general elections.
The Source quoted Amaechi as saying that, “I am not saying nobody should not nurse ambition but it is too early. It is distracting our party. We did not do well in 2015 not because we couldn’t win but because of this same ambition.
“The party will decide who will be its Governorship candidate at the right time and anybody who cannot wait till that time can join another party.”
When contacted, Tony Okocha said, “It is unfortunate that I have been removed as leader of APC caucus at a meeting I did not attend.
“The action showed the desperation of one man to muscle up the party. ”
“They just removed me now for supporting Senator Magnus Abe. the removal is to confirm that APC belongs to one man. Nothing to worry about because he also appointed me.
“The one who appoints has powers to remove. Later, he would remove Senator Wilson Ake. He has removed his former Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Worgu.
“I support Abe because I believe he has the qualities, the folowing. He has what it takes to win elections, I was not given opportunity to defend myself. I am in Abuja when they removed me, “ he said.
