Two factions of APC in Rivers give different interpretations to Appeal Court ruling over revalidation

*Amaechi’s faction says Court allows revalidation of membership to continue, Abe’s faction says Court stalls it.

The two factions of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State loyal to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi Minister of Transportation and the other loyal to Senator Magnus Abe are sharply divided over ruling of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt today.

The Rivers State Chapter of the APC loyal to Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi the Transportation Minister,has welcomed the decision of the Court of Appeal to remove impediments placed on the way of the party’s revalidation exercise by persons loyal to Senator Magnus Abe.

The party said in a reaction issued by its Spokesman,  Chief Ogbonna Nwuke that the move by the Appellate Court to throw out the restraining order has finally paved the way for members of the party in Rivers State to participate in the exercise. 

“Today’s decision by the Court of Appeal has laid to rest, the frivolous quest by Igo Aguma and his associates to prevent law abiding members of the party from taking part in a legitimate process ordered by the National Secretariat of the APC.
“For us, this is a strong moral victory for the APC.  Consequent upon this ruling, members of the party in the State are free as from today to go about the business of revalidating their membership.

“We thank the Court of Appeal for doing the needful. We are satisfied that at last justice has been done. The Court threw out some applications made by the APC as Hon. Emma Deeyah has claimed. We are however amazed that Deeyah did not have the courage to tell the entire truth of what transpired in Court.

“Let nobody be in any doubt that the major issue before the Court and the Rivers people was whether the APC indeed has a right, given the plethora of cases filed by Abe team, to engage in the revalidation of its membership.

“Given the wordings of the ruling, made today in Port Harcourt,  Rivers APC members have a right to revalidate their membership without let or hindrance.

“Similarly, we understand why Hon. Emma Deeyah on behalf of the Abe group put a spin on the decision of the Court of Appeal. They lost and lost very badly where it mattered most. It appears that what is now left in order to have any clout with those they have been deceiving all along is to lie a little more.
“This victory belongs to our members who have remained resolute. Their patience and trust in leadership is yielding dividends. We salute you and urge you to remain calm. Evil will never prevail over good.
“The journey is not over yet. We have a few more issues before the Supreme Court. On March 5th, by the grace of God Almighty, we shall prevail.
“We urge the people to ignore the rantings of the Abe group. Their attempt to confuse the people of this great State with lies will most certainly fall flat on its face. 
“A time comes when truth cannot be denied. The truth is that the Court of Appeal has removed the stumbling bloc placed on APC’s path by a splinter group. The road to freedom and stunning victories to come is now open.
“We want to thank our leaders for their doggedness. Our faith in their ability to guide us throw this very trying period remains unshaken.

In sharp disagreement, with Amaechi faction on the Court of Appeal ruling  today, the Senator Magnus Abe faction said the Court struck out four Appeals and dismissed one Appeal all brought by members of the Rotimi Amaechi-led faction of the All Progressives Congress APC in Rivers state.

In statement signed by Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Deeyah aStatutory Executive Member, APC, said “The Appeals all failed in our favour as the Court of Appeal remitted them back to the High Court for continued hearing. 

Deeyah said “None of the decisions of the High Court of was touched by the Court of Appeal particularly that of Abina J. Which directed parties that nothing should be done in respect of the registration/revalidation exercise by the APC Rivers state pending the determination of the suit.

He claimed that “The socalled registration and revalidation exercise of APC Rivers state is  further frustrated and cannot take place. We wish to state that we are on standby waiting for the Rotimi Amaechi faction of the APC either at the Supreme Court or the High Court if they chose to return to Court on these issues”.