Darlington Nwauju, the spokesperson for Rivers APC, provided insights into the crises affecting the party during an exclusive interview. He attributed the instability to unconstitutional actions by the APC National Working Committee (NWC), led by Abdullahi Ganduje.
The crisis in Rivers APC began after the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision barred the party from participating in the 2019 elections. Tensions escalated in November 2023 when the NWC attempted to dissolve the state’s elected executives, a move Nwauju described as unconstitutional.
Legal battles further deepened the crisis. In August 2024, a Rivers High Court ruled against the NWC’s actions, citing procedural violations. Despite the court’s decision, the NWC reportedly disregarded the ruling, aggravating internal tensions.
Nwauju accused the NWC of favoritism, claiming it supports individuals undermining the party’s progress. He cited Tony Okocha’s alleged loyalty to non-APC factions as an example of this issue.
To restore stability, Nwauju outlined steps for the party’s revival. He emphasized the importance of respecting the rule of law, addressing unconstitutional actions with apologies, and uniting all factions. These measures, he believes, are essential to building a stronger APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Despite the challenges, Nwauju expressed confidence in the resilience of Rivers APC members. He stressed that resolving internal conflicts is critical for the party to establish itself as a strong opposition and achieve electoral success in the future.
