APC Chieftains Accuse Wike of Opportunism, Insincerity

Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State have unleashed scathing criticisms against the state’s former governor, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of opportunism and insincerity in joining the party.

According to these party leaders, Wike’s move to the APC was merely an attempt to salvage his political career, and they vehemently denied his claims of playing a pivotal role in the growth of the party in the state.

The party leaders, represented by the state publicity secretary of the APC in Rivers State, Darlington Nwajulu, emphasized that the formation and expansion of the APC in the state were the fruits of the labor and sacrifices of dedicated party members. These loyal members had worked tirelessly, some even paying the ultimate price with their lives, to establish a robust party structure in the state.

During a critical period of growth for the APC, from 2015 to 2019, the party saw a commendable increase of 23.8 per cent, successfully bridging the gap in the 2015 presidential election. The leaders asserted that the party’s upward trajectory continued during the 2023 presidential election, securing an additional 80,881 votes in favor of the APC in Rivers State. In response to Wike’s purported claims of contributing to this success, the chieftains raised doubts, questioning the extent of his actual impact and asserting that the party’s progress was primarily the result of organic growth driven by dedicated members.

The party leaders expressed deep reservations about President Bola Tinubu’s decision to reward Wike, considering the former governor’s alleged lack of substantial support during challenging times for the APC in Rivers State. They expressed skepticism about the credibility of Wike’s claims of assistance to the party, challenging the notion that someone outside the APC could wield significant influence over a national ruling party in the state.

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With unflinching frankness, the chieftains pointed to evidence that suggested Wike’s primary motive for joining the APC was self-preservation. They accused him of seeking refuge within the party to protect his political interests, even as he allegedly sought to undermine and exploit the APC in Rivers State for his own gain.

The statement by the APC leaders reveals the deep-seated tensions and divisions within the party, with members voicing their discontent and skepticism over Wike’s intentions and his affiliation with the APC. As the political landscape in Rivers State continues to evolve, these assertions and counter-claims serve as a crucial backdrop to the unfolding political drama in the region.