By Jimitota Onoyume

The feud between Chibuike Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe over who controls the mainstream machinery of Rivers State chapter of the All Progress Congress, APC, deepened yesterday as the Minister of Transportation , Mr Amaechi announced removal of his  former Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha and three  others as leaders of the party’s caucus in their various local government areas.

Others affected by the shake up announced by Amaechi yesterday at different meeting with stakeholders of the party in the state was  his former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Worgu Boms, who lost his seat as leader of the party’s caucus in his local government, Hon Chidi Wihioka, member repre-senting Ikwerre/Emohua federal constituency who was replaced as leader of the party’s caucus also his local government area.

Senator Magnus Abe and Chibuike Amaechi

Hon Alwell Nyesoh was also removed as leader of the party’s caucus in Etche local government area.

Amaechi as leader of the party in the state allegedly  took the action because those removed were accused of  working to install Senator Magnus Abe as  governorship candidate of the party for the 2019 general elections.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that at the meetings Amaechi vowed to ensure that Senator Abe  did not get the party’s gubernatorial ticket for the 2019 general poll,  insisting that as leader of the party he would determine who flies  the party’s flag in the state. Amaechi who is the immediate past governor of the state said he appointed Abe secretary of his government in his first term , adding that he also supported him to be Senator in his second term.

Amaechi reportedly told the gathering of party stakeholders that he felt betrayed by Senator Abe, vowing to ensure he never got the party’s gubernatorial ticket.