'I didn’t attend anti Tinubu’s meeting in Rivers' - APC chieftain cries out

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers State, Chukwudi Dimkpa, has distanced himself from an allegation that he attended a meeting where a former Transport Minister, Chibuike Amaechi, directed party members to vote for the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Dimkpa said he was compelled to react to a statement credited to Tony Okocha, another APC chieftain, that he worked against the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the poll.

He advised Okocha against being an agent of disunity in the party saying that Okocha should seek to unite the party and not to destroy it.

Speaking through his Special Assistant on Media, Stephen Deegbara, the APC chief said contrary to Okocha’s claims, he worked tirelessly for the president’s victory in the state and deserved a better place in President Tinubu’s administration than Okocha.

He said: “We note that as a committed member of the APC, Chukwudi Dimkpa has devoted his time, energy, and resources along with other stakeholders to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the just concluded polls.

“Among other assignments he delivered successfully, Dimkpa was head of the Security Committee for the Asiwaju Tinubu Presidential Campaign Rally in Rivers State, where he ensured, along with members of the team and security agencies, a safe, secure and seamless campaign rally, in Port Harcourt.

“This feat was achieved despite spirited efforts by persons well known to Mr. Okocha to derail the peaceful conduct of the campaign rally.”

Dimkpa recalled that during the rally Okocha was booed by the teaming members of the Rivers APC at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt, in the presence of Tinubu.

He said: “He may wish to recall it was Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, who, as head of security, personally safeguarded his exit from the stage on the day of that presidential rally.”

He further said that the party under the leadership of Abdullahi Ganduje, was determined to end internal friction within the party and commended the former Kano State Governor for advising Okocha.

He said: “We appeal to our dear Chairman (Ganduje) to be wary of characters, whose actions are clearly not in consonance with the party’s desire for unity, but represent a selfish plan to derail the laudable objectives of the National leadership of the All Progressives Congress with regards to the Rivers State chapter of the APC.”

Dimkpa said he would not exchange words with Okocha, but would support him in his national assignment in the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

He said: “It would be wise advice for Mr. Okocha to stop being an agent of disunity and distractions to Mr. President’s administration and the APC.

“We urge him to focus on discharging the duties given to him by Mr. President as the people of Rivers State, who he will represent on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, are waiting eagerly for an unfolding of his plans for the state and the region.”