The All Progressives Congress in Rivers State has described as a relief and good riddance the recent resignation of some of its members from the party.
The party’s state Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, stated this during a telephone interview with our correspondent on Monday.
He however said two former members, including the former acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ibim Semenitari; and former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dawari George, who recently dumped the party worked hard and contributed to the growth of the party in the state.
A factional chairman of the party in the state, Golden Chioma; and a former member of the House of Representatives representing Ikwerre/Emuoha Federal Constituency, Chidi Wihioka, both loyal to Abe, resigned from the party.
Finebone said, “There have been some movements, though. I cannot term it exodus because that is relative.
“What is important is that such movements should be carefully appraised. The first individuals are those whom I can say added value to the APC business while they were here.
“To such people, we wish them well. But to the others who have been working to kill the party without success and caused us not be in the ballot in 2019, their exit is a relief. It is good riddance.
“These persons caused the party much more harm than good. Happily, some of them are having a second thought and taking advantage of the ongoing reconciliation efforts in our party to retrace their steps.”
There has been concerns over the recent gale of resignations from both camps of the APC in the state, with the latest coming from the former federal lawmaker, Chidi Wihioka.
In a letter to his ward chairman, (Elele Ward 3), Wihioka cited high-handedness of man who thinks he owns the party, making a veiled reference to a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, for his reason for dumping the party.
The letter read in part, “My decision was taken based on high-handedness of one man who thinks and believes that he owns the party in Rivers State and his refusal to allow peace reign in the party by giving everyone in the party equal playing ground.”
He, however, promised to continue to work for the success of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT-Vanguard) for the emergence of the APC presidential candidate, Senator Bola Tinubu, to succeed the incumbent President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) in 2023.
Also, two former members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief Friday Nkee-ee and Dr. Chigbo Sam-Eligwe, have exited the party.
Nkee-ee represented Khana State Constituency 2 in the 7th state legislature, while Eligwe represented Ahoada West state Constituency.
According to a letter addressed to the APC chairman in Ward 5 in Khana Local Government Area of the state, Nkee-ee said the APC has no value for its members.
“It is unreasonable to continue to remain in a family that does not value your person and contribution to the sustainability, stability and growth of the family,” he said.