The party accused party stalwarts of anti-party activities when they visited Rivers State to commission projects at Governor Nyesom Wike’s invitation.
On separate occasions when they were commissioning the projects, both individuals had previously stated that they would not be campaigning for the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State.
While dedicating the Rumuepirikorm-Ada George Fly-over on November 16, 2022, Governor Oshiomole declared, “I have seen why Governor Wike used to win APC in Rivers State. Wike has very powerful and active youths he works with, which he exploited to win my party. Wike, will you permit me to go with some of them from Rivers State to Edo State.”
While dedicating the Akpabu-Omudioga-Egbeda road on November 22, 2022, Governor Umahi was quoted as saying, “Governor Wike, you have tried so much, the only day you will see me in Rivers State campaigning is the day we will come here for the Presidential Campaign, apart from that, you will not see me again because all other positions, you will win.”
Angered by the actions of “disgruntled party leaders whose anti-party activities run in their veins,” the Rivers State chairman of the APC, Emeka Beke, wrote a letter of protest to the National Chairman of the APC, Adamu Abdullahi, dated November 23, 2022.
The APC state chairman lamented that the party’s national and state leaders disheartened the party’s hardworking people in Rivers State by making “scandalous remarks” in public during their visits to appease Governor Wike.
Beke wrote that party members in Rivers State are no longer comfortable with the two-party leaders’ anti-party acts and asked that they be punished.
It said, in part, “With respect to the complaints stated above, we demand as follows;
“1. An unreserved public apology from H.E Adams Oshiomole and H.E Dave Umahi on a live television programme within seven days.
“2. A warning or alternatively suspension letter on H.E Adams Oshiomole and H.E Dave Umahi for anti-party activity.
“3. A directive attached with a sanction that henceforth, anybody coming to Rivers State on the invitation of Governor Wike should stop talking trash and campaigning against candidates of APC in Rivers State.
“Conclusively, Sir, we wish to let you know that if this matter is not properly handled and our positions above granted and implemented, we will resort to taking our destinies by our hands. Remember, we are not restricted from visiting Edo and Ebonyi States to reply to H.E Adams Oshiomole and H.E Dave Umahi while also romancing with the opposition”.