“Working with Wike will jeopardize my integrity” — Embattled Rivers APC chair, Beke
The embattled Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Chief Emeka Beke, who is loyal to former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, recently made a statement that he cannot work with the serving Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, emphasizing that he is committed to protecting his integrity.
Beke, who was removed from the office as the chairman of the party in the state by the national leadership of the party, denied any alignment with Wike and the People’s Democratic Party.
Beke spoke during a media chat in Port Harcourt, addressing a viral video that showed him happily interacting with Wike at an event in Port Harcourt over the weekend. This led to rumors suggesting that Beke might have switched sides from Amaechi.
But Beke, who maintained he is leading the only legally constituted APC in the state said there was no alignment of any sort between him and with Wike, saying the event was the 60th birthday of a member of a club where is also a member.
He stated, “First there is no alignment whatsoever. I was coming from Okrika where I went for a funeral. When I walked into the hall at about 6pm, I saw a group of people, I saw the minister and a few other persons.
“I shook hands with a few of them and some of them said say hi to the Honourable Minister. I said no there is no need, You know we don’t flow at all, at the end of the day because I want to be a gentleman I started shaking everybody.
“When I got to the Honourble Minister we started ‘yabbing: and all that. You know I noticed this will arise I said now I’m talking to you tomorrow morning pictures will trend.
“And I said it clearly to Chief Emma Anyanwu, that look I’m a member of Rotimi Amaechi political family and I remain firm with Rotimi Amaechi.”
“For me I still remain where I belong in politics. Wike is never an option for me at all in politics. I can’t work with him because we don’t have the same style and I have my integrity to protect. I don’t have any affiliation with him and I didn’t go there for any political meeting.”
However, the Publicity Secretary of the embattled exco of APC in the state, Darlington Uwauju, urged members of the pubic to disregard the Chief Tony Okocha led APC Caretaker Committee in the state.
Nwauju said: “If you look at article 17 of our party, it talks about the tenure of office and the tenureship is for four years. So our tenure will be ending sometime in October of 2025 because congresses were held on the 16th of October 2021.
“You are all aware of the fact on the 22nd day of November 2023, there was an announcement by the National Publicity Secretary of our party announcing dissolution of all layers, that is the ward executive the local government and the state.”
