Some youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, have lauded the party’s national chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, for what they described as his wise advice to a chieftain of the party in the state, Hon. Tony Okocha.
Ganduje had during a visit to his office in Abuja by an APC faction from Rivers State, led by Okocha, advised the two factions of the party to stop overhearing the system and allow the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to resolve the issues.
Following the development, the youths advised Okocha, who is the member representing Rivers State in the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to stop dragging the name of his successor in office and APC chieftain, Engr. Chukwudi Dimkpa.
The youths, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday and signed on their behalf by Dae Stephen Degbara, said Dimkpa was never part of any meeting where any decision as conjured by Mr. Okocha, was taken.
The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to a statement made by one Tony Okocha, a self acclaimed “digital leader” of the Rivers State Chapter of the APC where he alleged that our revered principal, Engr Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa FNSE was present at a meeting held at the instance of the former Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi CON, where a decision was taken to support H.E. Abubakar Atiku, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, in the just concluded general elections.
“As one who has held public office, we would expect that supposed “leaders” like Mr. Okocha will understand the need to be cautious with words, mindful of facts, and to always seek to heal, not to destroy.
“While we will not speak for others mentioned by Mr. Okocha, we are however obligated to speak for our principal, Engr Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa.
“We make bold and relying on good authority to say that Engr. Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa FNSE was never part of any meeting where whatever decisions Mr. Okocha has conjured was taken.
“In Okocha’s infantile desire to perpetuate his falsehood and desperately gain cheap political milage, he should not forget that as a foundation member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in Rivers state, Engr. Chukwudi Dimkpa has more to gain from an Asiwaju Presidency than Mr Okocha can ever fathom, hence his decision to work tirelessly for the President’s electoral victory in Rivers State.
“We note that as a committed member of the APC, Engr Chukwudi Dimkpa has devoted his time, energy, and resources along with other stakeholders to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the just concluded polls.
“Among other assignments he delivered successfully, Engr. Dimkpa was head of the Security Committee for the Asiwaju Tinubu Presidential Campaign Rally in Rivers State, where he ensured, along with members of the team and security agencies, that a safe, secure and seamless campaign rally, in Port Harcourt.
“This feat was achieved despite spirited efforts by persons well known to Mr. Okocha to derail the peaceful conduct of the campaign rally. Mr. Okocha should not forget that his record was appreciated warmly when he was disgracefully booed to scorn by the teaming members of the Rivers APC at the Yakubu Gowon stadium, Port Harcourt in the presence of Mr President, after his failed attempts to undermine the peaceful rally. He may wish to recall it was Engr. Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, who, as head of security, personally safe guarded his exit from the stage on the day of that Presidential rally.
“Elections have come and gone. It is now time to focus on governance. Perhaps Mr. Okocha is not aware that the party under the able leadership of H.E. Abdullahi Ganduje OFR is determined to end all internal friction within the party and does not have the patience for rabble rousers and tale bearers.”
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