A bitter leadership dispute has engulfed the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, with two factions vying for control.
The crisis took a new turn on August 2, 2025, when the national leadership of the party and a faction led by Chief Emeka Beke issued conflicting statements on who should lead the state chapter.
In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, the APC national leadership affirmed that Tony Okocha is the authentic chairman of the Rivers State chapter.
The statement reads: “The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been drawn to media reports of a claim by Mr Emeka Beke to the Chairmanship of the Rivers state chapter of our Party.
“We wish to clarify, for the record, that Chief Tony Okocha is, and remains, the Chairman of the Rivers state chapter of our Party.”
Morka urged party members and the public to disregard claims by Emeka Beke, who has also been laying claim to the chairmanship.
However, Beke’s faction insists that he is the legitimate chairman, citing a Rivers State High Court judgment delivered by Justice S.H. Aprioku. The judgment affirmed the subsistence of Beke’s tenure as chairman until October 2025.
The faction has submitted a petition to the new APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, seeking official recognition of its leadership.
The faction cited Two court judgments have been cited in support of Beke’s leadership in Suit No. PHC/3592/CS/2023: This judgment, delivered by Justice S.H. Aprioku, set aside the purported dissolution of Beke’s executive committee and affirmed that his leadership remains valid and subsisting until October 2025 and Suit No. PHC/3859/CS/2024: This judgment, delivered by Justice Obomanu, invalidated the election of the Tony Okocha-led committee, further reinforcing the legitimacy of the Beke-led team.
Darlington Nwauju, Spokesperson for the Beke-led faction, criticized Felix Morka’s statement, accusing him of disparaging the judiciary and sidestepping the rule of law.
Nwauju advised Morka to approach the office of the National Legal Adviser to gain insight into the correct legal perspectives and status of the party leadership question in Rivers State.
Nwauju said: “We are tempted to call on the Legal Practitioners Privileges Council to as a matter of public interest, investigate Mr Felix Morka, who being a lawyer, should not be caught disparaging the judiciary since he should be ministering in the temple of justice.
“Mr Morka’s reaction is most unfortunate and a sad day for legal practice and democracy as he has chosen like Ganduje did, to sidestep the rule of law by encouraging the ridicule of the judiciary.
“We advise Mr Morka to approach the office of the National Legal Adviser to gain insight into the correct legal perspectives and status of the party leadership question in Rivers State.”
Meanwhile, the leadership crisis in Rivers APC has significant implications for the party’s prospects in the state. With local government elections imminent, the party’s internal conflicts could undermine its chances of success.
The national leadership’s support for Tony Okocha may further exacerbate the situation, potentially leading to a protracted legal and political battle.
