The leader of the **All Progressives Congress (APC)** in **Rivers State**, **Chief Emeka Beke**, has written to the **Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)**, saying that a recent court ruling can’t stop the local government election planned for October 5.
In a letter dated October 1, sent to the INEC National Chairman, Beke said the court’s decision was based on a lawsuit by **Chief Tony Okocha**, who he called an unknown party member.
He explained that some members of the APC tried to replace the elected State Executive Committee with a caretaker committee led by Tony Okocha. The High Court of Rivers State, led by **Justice S.H. Aprioku**, ruled that Beke’s committee is the valid leadership until 2025.
The court also rejected the caretaker committee and confirmed that Chief Emeka Beke is the rightful leader of the APC in Rivers State.
Beke mentioned that another court, the Federal High Court, ruled on a different lawsuit, but Tony Okocha, who filed it, is not recognized as a party leader in Rivers State. The party leadership did not authorize him to file the lawsuit.
On September 4, another ruling by **Justice I.P.C Igwe** from the High Court of River State directed the **Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC)** to go ahead with the local elections on October 5 or another date of their choice. This ruling takes precedence over the Federal High Court ruling.
According to the APC’s rules, decisions about local elections are made by the State Executive Committee. So, Beke’s committee has the authority to decide how the party will participate in the elections.
The **Supreme Court of Nigeria** has already ordered the **Government of Rivers State** to hold local elections within three months of their ruling.
Beke believes the Federal High Court can’t overrule the Supreme Court’s order to hold the elections. He wrote to inform INEC that the APC in Rivers State supports the October 5 elections and has submitted candidate names.
He emphasized that the court ruling against the elections does not reflect the APC’s position in Rivers State, and the party wants the elections to proceed as planned.