THE Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned members of the party which it said have been casting aspersions on Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, the leader of the party and the state leadership of the party to desist forthwith.
APC warned those concerned not only to call themselves to order but direct their subordinates and supporters to understand the limits they could be used to run down the party or bring down all the efforts of its leadership has collectively put into building the party.
The party in a statement issued by its State Chairman, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya and circulated by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, his Media Consultant, on Sunday stated that the party has watched with unease calmness and discomfort the continued “efforts by some party leaders to disorganise and weaken it ahead of the 2019 general elections by adopting unconstitutional and divisive acts”.
“This class of leaders in their quest for political relevance have not ceased on daily basis to disparage the person and personality of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, erstwhile Governor of Rivers State and incumbent Minister of Transportation and the undisputed leader of our party in the state” APC stated.
The statement reads in part: “That the party leadership decides to keep calm and quiet all these while shouldn’t be misconstrued as a sign of weakness to warrant these ceaseless attacks on our party leader, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi whose single mission is to build a virile, vibrant, cohesive, united chapter of the party capable of salvaging the state from the hands of undemocratic elements currently pervading and exhibiting all manners of bad governance inimical to the growth and prosperity of our dear state”.
The party further stated that the group should not take Amaechi’s meekness and humility as a reason to continue to paint APC as if it is an unorganised group without a constitution or laws governing its actions.
The APC stated further; “As much as we will not discourage or hinder any member of our great party from exercising their powers of freedom of speech, association or movement but such speeches, movements or associations shouldn’t result to stunted growth of our party both at the State and National levels.
Notwithstanding, let us reiterate that the strategy by some of our leaders and members to frolic with those who sponsored the killings of most of our members and supporters can’t be said to be the best style to prove their capability to lead our party come 2019”.
The party counselled that should any party member feel aggrieved for any reason, they should explore available channels and avenues in the party. Such grievances can be tabled and discussed but not through the current strategy of using the media to attack and cast aspersion on some leaders of the party.
“As a political party desirous of the peace, progress and unity of Rivers State, we will no longer condone any act of indiscipline by some of our leaders who embark upon the promotion of the candidatures of those who have made the economy of our state comatose to the detriment of the fortunes of our party.
The party reasons that, we still have the State Working Committee of the party under the able leadership of Dr Ibiamu Davies Ikanya and who has demonstrated frankness and openness in his efforts to carry all and sundry along and is ever ready to entertain and attend to any issue or challenge facing any member or group in the party.
As much as we recognize and respect the risks and sacrifices some of us have put in, let us reiterate that the sacrifices and risks by Amaechi in planting APC both in Rivers State and the Nation as a whole can’t be underplayed for any reason whatsoever. Those whose major trade these days is to take joy in castigating Amaechi shouldn’t forget the parts he played in their present political status,” the APC stated.
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