Rivers APC Chairman: Fubara Must Face Law, Joining Party Not Absolution
Abuja – The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has firmly stated that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s alleged actions or “sins” cannot be cleansed or forgiven merely by defecting to the ruling party. Okocha insisted that the embattled governor must still be held accountable under the law.
Speaking to journalists at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, Okocha addressed the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State and the speculation surrounding Governor Fubara’s political future amidst his feud with Minister Nyesom Wike and his loyalists.
Okocha was unequivocal when asked if the governor would find political refuge and forgiveness by joining the APC. “If Fubara decides to join APC today, his sins cannot be forgiven because his suspension has nothing to do with politics,” Okocha declared.
He stressed that welcoming individuals who have committed grave offences without consequence would tarnish the party’s image. “You will jump into the APC today, and your sins are forgiven. That can’t be true. It won’t work that way. Then, it would have made the APC a dumping ground for people who commit misdemeanours and believe that by and large, we will come for reconciliation. No,” he added.
According to Okocha, Governor Fubara’s alleged transgressions were not political in nature but were crimes committed against the people of Rivers State. He controversially linked these actions to a purported Supreme Court judgment which, in his interpretation, suggested a state where “no government” existed in Rivers State, implying that Fubara’s actions led to this situation. He claimed the declaration of a state of emergency (presumably referring to interventions brokered by the presidency) saved the governor’s job in this context.
Okocha also commented on the reconciliation efforts mandated by the presidency to resolve the political crisis. He lamented that Governor Fubara has not initiated any genuine moves towards reconciliation with the relevant parties, particularly the lawmakers. “I can confirm that there is no reconciliation effort currently underway in Rivers,” he asserted, adding that, to his knowledge, “no reconciliatory move is ongoing in the state.” He suggested that only genuine reconciliation could potentially avert impeachment proceedings against the governor, citing the standing Supreme Court judgment (though the specific details of the judgment and its direct link to impeachment in this context remain unclear based on the provided text).
Dismissing concerns that Governor Fubara’s meetings with President Bola Tinubu might signal an easy path into the APC or absolution, Okocha stated that the Rivers APC leadership is not worried. He reiterated that joining the party follows a strict procedure, starting from the ward level, emphasizing that APC is “not a dumping ground.”
“He must come through the door. He has to join from his ward,” Okocha insisted, making it clear that Fubara, like anyone else, must follow the established process if he intends to join the APC.
The Rivers State APC Chairman maintained a firm stance that Governor Fubara’s alleged misconduct is a serious matter that transcends political party lines and cannot be erased by a potential defection to the APC. He underscored the need for accountability and genuine reconciliation efforts, which he claims are currently lacking.
