The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State is divided over the upcoming local council elections scheduled for August 30, 2025, as announced by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
While the Tony Okocha-led faction of the APC has declared readiness to participate in the polls, the Emeka Beke-led group has rejected the process, challenging the legal authority of the state’s Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, to conduct the elections.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at the RSIEC headquarters in Port Harcourt, RSIEC Chairman Dr. Michael Odey unveiled a revised timetable and guidelines for the elections. He confirmed that all necessary arrangements were being made to ensure a free and fair poll.
Reacting to the development, Okocha, Chairman of the pro-Wike faction of the APC in the state, stated that the decision to take part in the election stemmed from the transparent and orderly process currently being followed by RSIEC.
“As you can see, you did not hear people shouting and showing aversion because things are done properly,” Okocha told reporters. “Recall that some time ago, when this process was to hold, it was marred because things were not done properly. And that’s why some of us went to court. The APC in Rivers State is fully prepared for the election, any day, any time.”
He added that the party leadership under his watch is not new to election management and remains confident of its chances.
However, Emeka Beke, who leads a rival faction of the APC, rejected the RSIEC process. He argued that the sole administrator lacks the legal right to oversee local council elections and warned that his group may not participate if the current framework is upheld.
Beke said: “The authority of the Sole Administrator is questionable, and our party’s failure to obey court rulings has only complicated matters. Until there is clarity on the legality of the process, it is difficult to say if we will take part in the election.”
The dispute reflects ongoing internal wrangling within the Rivers APC, which has seen deep divisions following recent political realignments in the state.
The August 30 elections are expected to fill leadership positions across the state’s local government councils, amid growing concerns about legitimacy, legal backing, and party unity.
