Rivers crisis: Fubara’s sins unforgivable, even if he joins APC – Tony Okocha

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Sir Tony Okocha, has made a bold statement regarding the embattled and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, insisting that his actions are beyond political pardon.

Speaking during a press conference at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, Okocha declared that even if Fubara decides to defect to the ruling party, the APC would not forgive him.

He emphasized that the governor’s “sins” were not political but rather offenses committed against the people of Rivers State, citing the judgment recently delivered by the Supreme Court.

“The little I know in political science, the President did not take that decision alone. He consulted some stakeholders. He consulted the National Assembly and the National Assembly ratified it.

“For all I know, even if the emergency rule is reversed today in Rivers, is he going to work with spirit? The State House of Assembly is there.

“Fubara’s suspension has no business with politics. It was about his dominion and misgovernance. He himself agreed that the President saved his job.

“The best thing for him (Fubara) is to have true reconciliation with all the stakeholders.”

On the speculations that the suspended Governor will soon decamp to the APC, Sir Okocha said: “If Fubara decides to join APC today his sins can not be forgiven because his suspension has nothing to do with politics.”

He also declared that Rivers APC leadership not worried that Fubara is seen with the President during his Sallah visit.

“APC is not a dumping ground, he must follow the procedures beforn be admitted. He has to join from his ward.”

Okocha also listed how peace can be obtained, adding that Fubara has yet to initiate any meaningful steps to reconcile with the duly elected lawmakers in the state.

He said: “I can confirm that there is no reconciliation effort currently underway in Rivers. The suspended Governor, Fubara, has not made any move to reconcile with the lawmakers. Only genuine reconciliation can save him from impeachment, as the Supreme Court judgment stands.”

Commenting on Amaechi’s recent outbursts on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike’s response, Sir Okocha said he had been vindicated on his earlier statements that the former Minister of Transportation did not campaign, nor vote for APC in the last 2023 presidential election.

“Here we are now, Ameachi himself said it publicly. He said Nigerians are hungry. I saw the response Wike gave him, and that is the true. Ameachi is only hungry for power.

“That was in a bad faith, just to cast aspersion on Mr. President.”