By: Felix Ikpotor
Chairman of the faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, loyal to former minister Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Emeka Beke has lamented that the party in the state is not given due recognition and support by the National Leadership.
Beke who stated this when he hosted Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who was in the state to meet delegates ahead of the primary elections of the party, also expressed the determination of the party to win elections in the state.
Beke said that the State Governor, Nyesom Wike is afraid since he took over because they are poised to wrestle power from him.
‘There is something that is happening in this state. The system up there does not recognised APC in Rivers State. Today, the system of our government supports the governor of Rivers State (Nyesom Wike). So, some of our people cannot come out because they threaten them, so this time around we want your support, we are going to take it head on with Governor Wike. I have said it time without number, we want to win election, our people want to come out of poverty in Rivers State. Governor Wike has taken monies meant for Rivers people to campaign and dash to states and we will not accept that anymore,” he said.
He added: “This state is an APC state. APC will win election in Rivers State. Wike is scared since this executives came on board, APC has been functioning very well. Wike is scared because we will win elections. National should stand with us because most people here sacrificed their time for this party, some of us lost our children and wives because of APC in Rivers State. We need all your support for APC in Rivers State,” Beke said.
Responding, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said the party is proud of the APC in Rivers State for the role it is playing as an opposition party.
“There is nowhere in the country that we are not proud of APC in Rivers State. The reason is that those of us that have been in opposition for years knows what it takes to be in opposition. We are proud of you and that would be rewarded. Ultimately we will win and I’m very sure that APC will win in this state and the country at large,” Osinbajo stated.
He noted that there is no quarrel between presidential aspirants of the party, stressing that he enjoys cordial relationship with Amaechi who is also a presidential aspirant in the party.
“The good thing is that our party can accommodate quality people from across our party and we are of same opinion that this country can be better and we are all poised for that. There is no quarrel amongst us aspirants. We are aspirants today but only one person will emerge and we must be proud to work with that person,” he said.
