Rivers: APC sets up caretaker panel to resolve Ameachi, Abbey’s factions

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has inaugurated a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the party in Rivers state and primarily resolve all the internal wrangling between the factions loyal to the Minister of Transportation and Senator Magnus Abbey.


National chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, while inaugurating the five man panel on Monday, said the party need a state based organ to build a structure that will ensure a smooth congresses in the state.


According to Oshiomhole, the committee’s first task is to ensure total reconciliation of the division within the party in Rivers state.


The party’s national chairman also urged the committee to put the interest of the party first in managing the party affairs within the period, saying the committee members should however, also set aside their personal interests.


The committee include; Barr. Isaac Abott Ogbobula, Mr Baridon Badom as Secretary, Mr Friday Kinika Owhor, Mrs Beatrice Amobi, Prince Abolo Stephen as members.


Oshiomhole said: “Accordingly, the NWC decided to approve a caretaker committee that will be on ground to assist those who are coming to ensure that we have a hitch free conduct of all the congresses. 


“You have a very simple task, but also very complicated one. You are assuming office as caretaker committee members at a time when we have huge internal fighting within the APC. Your first task must include trying to build bridges across the divides within the APC family in Rivers state.


“We will also look at the possibility of sending some high level mediation to ensure that all the forces within the party in the state to see the need to work together so that by the time we conduct the congresses, it will be seen as a peaceful, transparent family affair in line with the tradition of the APC.


“As a progressive party, we cannot afford to build a house that is not based on popular participation and politics is bout people. The more you are on ground, the more transparent you handle your affairs, the more likely you are going to have people claiming ownership of the process by members and leaders of the party.


“Once you open your mind and commit yourself to ensuring that we have a process that would produce an outcome that people will be happy with, you would have done your job. It just require you managing your own biases.


“I dont think that there is a better teacher than yourself about a damage a party can suffer if he chooses to fight to finish and refused to the part of reconciliation, mediation and the spirit of give and take. You have paid a huge price.


“The important is that at the end of the day, the majority would have their say and we proceed to working and ensuring that we deliver on the commitment  we made to our people.


“So, I hope that the huge setback that we have suffered in Rivers state may well be the ingredient we need not to tow the part that will lead us to another perpetual house that will be divided against itself. 


“So, I ask you to put the interest of the party first, the interest of the second and the interest of the party last. Your personal friendship and opinion must be down played for this bigger interest to manifest.”


Responding, the chairman of the caretaker committee, Barrister Ogbobula, assured that his leadership will run the party affairs smoothly and provide local logistics towards achieving Local and state Congresses.


He appealed to all the party members to cooperate with his committee so as to achieve success.

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