The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has called for the immediate resignation of Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, following controversial remarks he made during a national television interview.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Tuesday by Darlington Nwauju, the Rivers APC spokesperson, the party expressed dismay over Morka’s comments on the ongoing political crisis in the state.
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Morka had questioned Nwauju’s legitimacy, describing him as “an official of the old exco” and doubting his membership in the current executive committee.
This, the Rivers APC argued, undermines lawful court rulings and casts doubt on the authenticity of statements from recognised party officials.
The demand stems from Morka’s alleged dismissal of the party’s stance against what it termed a “legislative overreach” and “coup d’état” by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The assembly’s actions were aimed at ousting Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, both APC members.
Nwauju’s statement highlighted two key court cases – Suit No. PHC/3592/CS/2023 (Sam Sam Etetegwung Vs APC) and Suit No. 3859/CS/2024 (OkwuJoe Brown Ndke Vs APC) – which nullified the dissolution of executives elected in October 2021 and invalidated a subsequent “kangaroo congress” in November 2023 under former chairman Alhaji Umar Ganduje.
“We are alarmed at the continuous ridicule, disrespect and disregard for lawful court rulings by Morka,” the statement read. It accused him of promoting a “partisan interpretation” of subsisting judgements, thereby losing the moral authority to serve as a national officer.
The Rivers APC further criticised Morka for downplaying the impeachment threat against Governor Fubara, whom they regard as the “undisputable leader” of the party in the state.
Emphasising the APC’s commitment to constitutional democracy and the rule of law, the statement invoked Article 13.4 (xvi) of the party constitution, which mandates the National Working Committee (NWC) to liaise with party-led governments and prioritise members in appointments.
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It questioned Morka’s loyalty, suggesting his views were personal and not representative of the NWC.
The party warned that Morka’s actions risk repeating the divisions that plagued Rivers APC in 2019, urging national chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwada and secretary Senator Ajibola Bashiru to intervene.
Additionally, it called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Council to investigate Morka, a trained lawyer, for conduct that could damage the legal profession’s reputation.
“This misleading narrative is too dangerous to be ignored,” the statement concluded, asserting that actions by those elected through the disputed 2023 congresses are legally invalid.
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