The crisis rocking the Rivers state chapter of the All progressives Congress (APC) deepened yesterday following the call by the group loyal to the Minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike that the rival group loyal to the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi should not be considered for any appointive positions.

The group at a meeting with the Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje led national working committee (NWC) at the national secretariat in Abuja justified their positions on the basis that Amaechi loyalists in the mould of the governorship candidate of the party, Mr Tonye Cole, Dakuku Peterside worked against the victory of President Tinubu during the electioneering period.

Led by Chief Tony Okocha, they called on Ganduje to adhere to existing court order which allegedly endorsed the expulsion of the Amaechi led group from the party.

“These group of persons who we liken as Watermelon, with the characteristic feature of presenting “Green in the outside but Red in the inside”, have long abandoned the APC, are “ipso facto” disqualified from speaking for the APC Rivers in any forum or fora,” they stressed.

“We pray Mr. Chairman to discountenance the machinations of the pretenders, who via hues and cries and trumping up lies, want to negate the Natural law that aptly recommends that “One reaps where the one sows.

“Those persons Never supported the Party nor are they sincere in their hearts, to be happy that President Tinubu made it to the Presidency.

“The only group in APC Rivers State legitimate to seek compensation for the victory of APC/Tinubu in Rivers State, is the one here.

Please contact us through the leader of the Political infantry in Rivers State, who is serving in the Federal Cabinet presently.”

Ganduje who lamented the reverses suffered by the party due to series of litigation and crisis since the 2015 poll expressed appreciation to the party stalwarts over the victory recorded by the party in the 2023 presidential poll.

Reiterating the resolve by the party to reclaim Rivers state, he said the goal would be achieved if the party stalwarts to bury their hatchets and resolve to work harmoniously with one another.

He added: “And one important question that you asked and we to ask how come we won presidential election and lost state election. You said that was a miracle. Yes, if you say a miracle, there must be a messiah.

“So we have to thank you for the position election, we have to not only thank you, we have to congratulate you and what you did is as a result of what we are enjoying now.

“Because without winning federal election, across many states, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed could not have become the president of this country.

“So we have to congratulate you for that. But what we are saying, yes, there is confusion in the party, but we don’t want members to over hit the system, we are focused, we organized, we work scientifically in politics.

“And therefore you give us an enabling environment, give us a chance so that we can put a round peg in a round hole, square peg in a square hole, so that we maintain our dignity as a party.

“We have to capitalize on what we have, we have to capitalize on the fact that we have worn the national election in River State. We are not extracting anything less again, but give us a chance to see how we can have both the states and the national election together.

“Whatever it is we have received your address and the party will come in and see how we can get a solid party leadership s that we can move forward. But what we are begging do not overheat the system.

“Overheating the system, some will go for litigation and then a vicious cycle will come again. We don’t want too much analysis because they say too much analysis leads to paralysis.

“So give us a chance so that we can consult, so that we look at the constitution of APC and then we wait and see how we can put things in order.”