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Tension Rises in Rivers as APC Warns Against Using Party as ‘Dumping Ground’
The political tension in Rivers State has taken a new turn as the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a strong warning to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stating that defecting to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not absolve him of his alleged political offences.
TJ News Nigeria gathered that this warning comes amid widespread speculations following Governor Fubara’s recent visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The visit, which coincided with the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, has sparked political debates regarding Fubara’s future and the possibility of defection to the APC.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, categorically stated that the APC would not be used as a refuge for embattled politicians seeking to escape accountability.
APC Not a Dumping Ground for Political Sinners – Okocha
While addressing journalists, Okocha emphasized that any talk of defection by Governor Fubara would not automatically erase the political crises facing the Rivers State government.
His words:
“If Fubara decides to join the APC, it has nothing to do with the state of emergency we are asking for in Rivers State. His sins cannot be forgiven because he came to our party.
“You will jump into the APC today, and your sins are forgiven? That cannot 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. It is not true.”
Okocha also clarified that Governor Fubara had not made any formal contact with the APC leadership in Rivers State regarding defection, adding that the process of defecting must follow due procedures starting from the governor’s political ward.
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“He has not spoken to me. He will enter the party through the door, not the window. Not only him, there are procedures for defection to another party. And if he claims to be a politician, he would know that all politics is local,” he added.
Fubara’s Meeting With Tinubu Raises Political Questions
When asked whether he was concerned about the governor’s meeting with President Tinubu, Okocha dismissed any worries, insisting that Fubara’s visit was of no political consequence to the APC’s position.
“How can I be worried that somebody visited my president? Don’t forget it was also the season of Sallah. Yesterday, I read somewhere that the former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Osoba paid Sallah homage, and I don’t know whether you also saw the President in the company of Chief Nyesom Wike,” he explained.
Okocha stressed that the President has the constitutional right to meet with anyone, including political opponents, and insisted that the visit should not be overanalyzed.
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No Reconciliation Efforts From Fubara’s Camp – APC
TJ News Nigeria learnt that amid ongoing speculations about behind-the-scenes reconciliatory efforts, Tony Okocha refuted such claims, asserting that the APC was not aware of any peace moves initiated by Governor Fubara.
“I am not a prophet of doom. I can only say to you with the benefit of knowledge that I am not aware of any reconciliatory move. No reconciliation is going on. Is it going to talk to Mr. President? But Mr. President has said go and make peace. No attempt at that. I am not aware of any reconciliatory moves by Fubara and his team,” Okocha said.
Background: Political Tensions in Rivers State
Governor Fubara has been facing increasing political opposition within the state, especially from factions of the APC loyal to former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The crisis has led to legislative face-offs, political suspensions, and calls by the APC for the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the state due to what they describe as a breakdown of governance.
Despite the mounting tensions, President Tinubu has reportedly urged all parties involved to seek peaceful resolution of the political crisis in Rivers State.
TJ News Nigeria will continue to monitor developments regarding Governor Fubara’s political future and potential defection moves.
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