The NWC took the step of forming a caretaker committee, predominantly comprising loyalists of the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former governor of the state, Nyesom Wike.

Despite their different party affiliations, Amaechi and Wike have been in a persistent power struggle for control in Rivers State, with recent events appearing to favor Wike.

Following the APC presidential ticket contest with Amaechi, President Bola Tinubu aligned with Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during the elections.

 Wike was subsequently appointed to the president’s cabinet.

Speaking to the press after the NWC meeting in Abuja on Wednesday night, APC National Publicity Secretary Barrister Felix Morka announced that Chief Tony Okocha would chair the caretaker committee, with Chief Eric Nwibani serving as secretary.

Other members include Hon. Chibuike Ikenga, Prince Stephen Abolo, Hon. Silvester Vidin, Senibo Karibi Dan-Jumbo, and Miss Darling Amadi.

Notably, Okocha is a staunch supporter and political ally of Wike, having led a delegation of Wike’s loyalists to meet with APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in Abuja. During this meeting, Okocha accused Amaechi of working against Tinubu in the last election and urged that Wike be directly engaged.

Morka clarified that the caretaker committee’s mandate includes conducting a comprehensive electronic registration of all party members in the state.

He stated, “The caretaker committee, subject to the directives of the NWC, was entrusted with preparing for the conduct of congresses to facilitate the emergence of new executive committees for the party at various levels, extending from the ward to the state.”

The APC spokesman specified that the caretaker committee has six months to fulfill its mandate.