The Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and a faction of the APC in Rivers State loyal to Senator Magnus Abe have disagreed over the adoption of the governorship candidate of Africa Action Congress (AAC), Engr. Awara Biokpomabo.
Amaechi said the decision was borne out of several litigations surrounding the APC in the state but expressed hope that the party will reclaim its mandate in court.
Engr Biokpomabo of the AAC hails from Kula Community in Akuku Toru Local Government Area of Kalabari Kingdom in Rivers State.
The supreme court had barred the APC in Rivers State from fielding candidates for all elections, including governorship, state and National Assembly over crisis between Amaechi and Abe factions that erupted during the party’s primary elections.
Amaechi who is the leader of APC in the South South, had at the party’s rally in Eleme, yesterday, said they had adopted the AAC candidate for the election.
The former Rivers State governor said it was pertinent to adopt the candidate of another party since the APC was still in court over the non inclusion of its governorship flag bearer in the contest.
But in a swift reaction, the chairman of Magnus Abe faction of APC, Prince Peter Odike called on all members and supporters of the party to discountenance the directive given by Amaechi.
He said the APC case was pending at the Supreme Court, saying party leaders never held any meeting in which the decision to enter into alliance with any other party was reached.
“Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi cannot play the ostrich and cannot be allowed to be next governor of Rivers state through the back door after attempting to destroy the APC in the state,” he said.
