Fact Check: Did Gov. Hope Uzodinma Say There Won’t Be New APC Congress In Rivers State As Being Circulated
Supporters of barrister Nyesom Wike are peddling reports online that the chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) governor’s forum, Hope Uzodinma has declared that Rivers state is not ripe for congress and that the tenure of the current excos of the party in Rivers state is still running.
According to Wike’s supporters who are circulating the news online, the alleged declaration by the chairman of the APC’s governors’ forum implies that former governor Nyesom Wike who is seemingly in control of the party in Rivers, remains the leader of the party by proxy and at the expense of governor Sim Fubara who saw the forthcoming congress as an opportunity to take over the party’s structure in Rivers state.
One of Wike’s online supporters, Iyewe Eli Iwhuruohna through his X account, wrote: “Rivers State APC not ripe for congresses. The ward, LGAs and state excos tenures are till running–Governor Hope Uzodimma”.
However, there is no official record that shows that the reports being circulated by Nyesom Wike’s supporters about Rivers state APC being exempted from states to hold congress for the party’s elective positions, is true. The statement also being attributed to governor Hope Uzodinma can not be ascertained.
The official statement released by governor Hope Uzodinma after the progressive governors meeting with the members of the APC’s National Working Committee, has no reference to Rivers state nor did it state or imply that Rivers state APC’S will not hold congress as being circulated by Nyesom Wike’s supporters online.
Instead, the communique at the end of the meeting emphasized that the leadership of the party is poised for its forthcoming congress at all the party’s leadership levels comprising national, state, local government and wards, with no reference to Rivers state.
” The forum adopted the proposed timetable for party congresses and the national convention in alignment with INEC guidelines, while reaffirming its commitment to deepening internal democracy, strengthening party structures, and advancing reforms that promote transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness across all levels of the federation”, part of the official statement.
