APGA tells RSIEC to deal with leadership recognized by national body
From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
The National leadership of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has told the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to deal with the party under the leadership of Mr. Harry in the state in the forthcoming local government election.
It warned that any election conducted with list of candidates not approved by the state leadership recognized by APGA national body would amount to nullity.
National Administrative Secretary of the party, Mr. Okoro Chinedum Benedict, stated this in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday.
Benedict noted that recently, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognized Edozie Njoku and Nuhyideed Iman as National Chairman and Secretary respectively.
He added that by virtue of the recognition of the change in national leadership, states’ chapters of the party should take instructions from Njoku (National Chairman) and Iman (National Secretary).
Benedict explained: “The new leadership of APGA headed by Chief Edozie Njoku, which you all know that got its recognition by INEC on the 9th of July, 2024, set up this committee. And we have been to 10 states trying to our people at the grassroots and state level that a new renaissance is here; that APGA won and not anybody in court and that everybody should come together.
“In Rivers State in particular, what we came to do is one, to let them know that there is a leadership change in the party, headed by Chief Edozie Njoku, National Chairman, and Alhaji Nuhyideed A. Iman, National Secretary.
He said: “We have paid the stage of sale of forms going by the RSIEC guidelines and timetable. We are at the stage of presentation of candidates having passed through the electoral processes to the electoral commission.
“But, most importantly is that, coming here (Rivers State), we discovered that RSIEC is dealing with the people who do not have the approval of the national leadership of the party.
“We met the Secretary (RSIEC), Mr. Douglas Chuku), and we told him vehemently that any attempt to deal with the wrong and unapproved persons, who do not represent APGA in this election (LG poll) amounts to unlawful exclusion. And the implication is the entire process becomes a jamboree.
“So, what we are saying is APGA is prepared to participate in the local government election in the state. That is what the national leadership of APGA under Chief Edozie Njoku, as National Chairman and Alhaji Nuhyideed A. Iman, National Secretary is saying. That is why we are in Rivers State.”
He stressed that recognition should be accorded to the Mr. Harry-led leadership in the state by the electoral umpire in the forthcoming council poll.
“What we are here in Rivers State is to say that any list of candidates that doesn’t have the approval and signature of Mr. Harry, who is representing the party in the state is not from APGA.”
