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The Wike Court of Appeal Rivers APC controversy took center stage on Thursday as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, rejected claims that recent Court of Appeal judgments invalidated decisions made by the Tony Okocha-led leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja ahead of activities marking President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office, Wike insisted that the judgments were being wrongly interpreted by those making such claims.
He also defended his recent remarks regarding protests by members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) over the kidnapping of teachers, maintaining that insecurity should not be politicized.
Wike Challenges Interpretation of Court of Appeal Judgment
The Wike Court of Appeal Rivers APC dispute emerged following claims by the Emeka Beke-led faction of the APC that recent appellate court rulings had nullified decisions taken by the Tony Okocha-led state leadership.
According to Wike, such conclusions are not supported by the actual judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal.
He explained that the legal dispute originated from an ex-parte order obtained from a Rivers State High Court that halted a planned congress intended to elect state party officials.
Origin of the Legal Dispute
Wike stated that when the APC national leadership directed that a congress be conducted to elect state officers, some party members approached a state court seeking an injunction to stop the exercise.
The High Court subsequently granted an ex-parte order preventing the congress from taking place.
The development later led to an appeal by the party.
APC’s Appeal Against the High Court Order
According to the minister, the APC challenged the authority of the Rivers State High Court to hear the matter.
The party argued that the court lacked jurisdiction over the dispute.
However, the Court of Appeal reportedly ruled that the High Court possessed the authority to entertain the case and directed that the matter be returned to the lower court for proper determination.
Case Yet to Be Fully Determined
Wike emphasized that the substantive issues in the case have not yet been resolved.
He noted that the matter remains pending and will require reassignment because the judge who initially handled the case is no longer available following his death.
As a result, he argued that no final determination has been made regarding the underlying dispute.
Why Wike Says APC Decisions Remain Valid
A major aspect of the Wike Court of Appeal Rivers APC debate revolves around whether decisions taken by the party leadership in Rivers State remain valid.
The minister maintained that the Court of Appeal judgment did not invalidate decisions made by the APC’s national leadership.
Party Primaries Are Conducted by the National Leadership
Wike argued that party primaries are the responsibility of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC rather than state party structures.
Because of this, he insisted that claims suggesting candidates produced through party processes had been removed lacked legal backing.
He maintained that the appeal court ruling focused on jurisdictional issues and did not directly address the validity of party primaries.
No Candidates Were Removed, Says Wike
The former Rivers State governor also criticized assertions that party officials or candidates had been sacked as a result of the judgment.
According to him, such conclusions go beyond what the court actually decided.
He reiterated that the ruling simply returned the matter to the High Court for further proceedings and did not cancel previous decisions made by the APC at the national level.
Reactions to Wike’s Comments on Teachers’ Protest
Beyond the legal dispute within the Rivers APC, Wike also responded to criticism surrounding comments he made during an engagement with protesting teachers in the Federal Capital Territory.
The protest was linked to concerns over the kidnapping of teachers and insecurity affecting educational institutions.
Some critics viewed the minister’s remarks as insensitive.
Wike Defends His Position
Responding to the criticism, Wike insisted that he never suggested that government was indifferent to the suffering of victims of insecurity.
Instead, he argued that his comments were aimed at discouraging the politicization of security challenges.
According to him, insecurity affects all Nigerians regardless of profession, social status, or geographic location.
Insecurity Is a National Concern
Wike stressed that every kidnapping incident deserves attention, whether it occurs in Abuja, Sokoto, Taraba, Rivers State, or elsewhere in the country.
He stated that government agencies remain concerned about the safety of citizens and are working toward securing the release of kidnapped individuals.
The minister noted that the challenge of insecurity should be approached as a national issue rather than one driven by political considerations.
Wike References His Position During EndSARS
While defending his recent remarks, Wike recalled his stance during the EndSARS movement.
Criticism of SARS Before Nationwide Protests
The minister said that while serving as governor of Rivers State, he publicly criticized the activities of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
According to him, he raised concerns about alleged abuses before the issue gained national attention.
He argued that public concern only intensified after major incidents elsewhere in the country triggered broader nationwide reactions.
Drawing Parallels to Current Security Concerns
Wike suggested that security issues should attract equal concern regardless of where they occur.
He maintained that every case involving kidnapping or violence deserves attention and sympathy without selective reactions based on political or regional interests.
Government Efforts to Address Kidnapping Concerns
The minister acknowledged concerns raised by members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers regarding the kidnapping of educators.
He said government recognizes the seriousness of the issue and remains committed to addressing it.
Support for Victims and Families
According to Wike, authorities sympathize with victims and their families while efforts continue to secure the release of kidnapped persons.
He emphasized that government agencies are actively working on measures aimed at improving security and responding to such incidents.
Call Against Politicizing Insecurity
A central message in Wike’s response was his opposition to the politicization of security challenges.
He maintained that discussions surrounding kidnapping and insecurity should focus on finding solutions rather than advancing political interests.
The minister reiterated that this was the core message of his earlier remarks and that he remained committed to that position.
Wike Refuses to Withdraw His Remarks
Despite criticism from some quarters, Wike said he has no intention of retracting his statements.
He acknowledged that individuals are entitled to their own opinions regarding his comments.
However, he insisted that his position remains unchanged.
According to the minister, government appreciates the concerns raised by affected groups and continues to work toward improving security outcomes, but public discourse on insecurity should remain constructive and non-political.
Implications for Rivers APC Politics
The ongoing disagreement over the interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling highlights continuing tensions within the Rivers State chapter of the APC.
Political observers believe the eventual determination of the substantive case at the High Court could provide greater clarity regarding the leadership dispute and related party matters.
Until then, differing interpretations of the judgment are likely to remain a point of contention among rival factions within the party.
FAQ
What did Wike say about the Court of Appeal judgment in Rivers APC?
Wike said the Court of Appeal only ruled on the issue of jurisdiction and returned the matter to the High Court for determination. He argued that the judgment did not invalidate APC decisions or remove candidates.
Why is there a dispute within the Rivers APC?
The dispute stems from disagreements over party leadership and a legal challenge involving a congress conducted to elect state party officials.
Did the Court of Appeal sack APC candidates in Rivers State?
According to Wike, the Court of Appeal judgment did not remove candidates or invalidate party primaries, contrary to claims made by some party members.
What was Wike’s response to criticism over the teachers’ protest?
Wike defended his comments, saying he was not dismissing concerns about insecurity but emphasizing that kidnapping and security issues should not be politicized.
The latest comments from Nyesom Wike reflect ongoing debates surrounding both internal APC disputes in Rivers State and broader national concerns over insecurity. While legal proceedings continue regarding party leadership issues, the minister remains firm in his interpretation of the Court of Appeal ruling and his position on public discussions about security challenges.
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