The Rivers State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), led by reinstated Chairman Emeka Beke, has condemned the lawsuit filed by a party chieftain Tony Okocha, seeking at stopping funds allocation to local government councils.
In a scathing statement on Monday, APC spokesman Darlington Nwauju accused Okocha of attempting to frustrate the councils, having lost access to their funds.
Nwauju emphasized that Okocha and his caretaker committee were sacked by a competent court, yet continue to parade themselves, despite the subsisting court judgment.
Okocha admitted to filing the lawsuit, citing a faulty process in funds allocation.
However, Nwauju countered that the judiciary should not be manipulated by desperate politicians.
The statement read in part: “Attempts at sequestering the third tier of government by blocking local government allocations in Rivers State is tantamount to coup d’etat.
“Okocha and his group have been sacked and remain sacked. We stand by the fact that electoral bodies are expected to be independent/neutral.
“It is shameful that Okocha and his friends…have been openly boasting of getting judgment from a court of coordinate jurisdiction in Abuja, to stop allocations to local governments in Rivers State.
“We do not believe that the judiciary should continue to allow itself to be manipulated by desperate politicians.”
Nwauju cited Section 87 of the 2010 Electoral Act and Section 60(2) of the 2018 Rivers State Local Government Act, emphasizing the independence of electoral bodies. He also referenced Supreme Court rulings reinforcing local governments’ powers and independence, noting:
“Section 162(7) of the Constitution…reinforced the powers and independence of local governments under our laws to receive funding unhindered.”
The APC spokesperson urged Nigerians to support the implementation of the Justice Muhammad Uwais Panel report, which recommends merit-based appointments for electoral body members.
The APC Rivers State Chapter reaffirms its commitment to democratic principles, condemning Okocha’s actions as a self-serving attempt to undermine the local government system.