Emeka Beke An associate of Rotimi Amaechi, the minister of transportation has emerged as chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state.
The result of the congress was announced on Saturday by the secretary of the state congress committee, Adoyi Omale.
Beke polled 1,575 votes to beat his opponent, Chizi Nyeomasila, who scored eight votes.
A former member of the state house of assembly, Sam Etetegwung was elected unopposed as the secretary while Chris Finebone was also elected unopposed as the publicity secretary.
In his acceptance speech, Beke said he would pilot the affairs of a united party that would take over power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
“I thank the delegates for reposing confidence in me with the massive votes that I got: I will ensure that work towards the unity and victory for the party in 2023,” he said.
“For my brothers that contested with me, there is no victor, no vanquished; they will all be involved in the party activities.”
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for monitoring the election and security agencies for maintaining the peace.
Over the past few years, Rivers APC has been enmeshed in a leadership crisis, owing to the power tussle between the faction of Magnus Abe, a former senator, and Amaechi’s loyalists.
The crisis led to the disqualification of the party from the 2019 governorship election in the state.