Court of Appeal Port Harcourt division upholds court verdict rejecting Wike-backed APC faction

The Court of Appeal Port Harcourt Division has affirmed the Rivers State High Court's nullification of the APC congresses led by Tony Okocha and backed by Nyesom Wike. The December 20, 2024 judgment by Justice Godswill Obomanu was upheld. The Emeka Beke faction had filed Suit No CA/PH/523/2024 seeking to overturn that judgment. A source in the Beke camp said the ruling voids all actions and communications by the Okocha executives since December 20, 2024. Efforts to reach the Okocha faction were unsuccessful. A related issue is that the Beke faction did not conduct primaries and did not contest the 2025 LGA election conducted during a state of emergency. The appellate decision leaves unresolved the political dynamics within Rivers APC as the factions clash over leadership and party processes. Okocha supporters may challenge further, while the Beke faction awaits other channels. The court’s ruling also raises questions about the legitimacy of party activities and could influence future intra-party disputes in the state. The decision signals ongoing legal battles that could shape party structure in Rivers State.