Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to either resign or face impeachment following a series of political tensions in the state. Okocha made this demand while speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday, criticizing the governor’s handling of the political crisis and his recent invitation of the 27 lawmakers to a meeting.
The controversy arose after the Supreme Court ruling validated the 27 lawmakers as the legitimate legislature in the state, and Fubara, through a letter from the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, invited the lawmakers for a meeting. Okocha, however, dismissed the invitation, describing it as a “Greek gift.” He questioned the sincerity of the meeting and the governor’s motives, calling it a gesture aimed at deflecting attention from deeper governance issues.
Okocha further accused the governor of being “clueless” and failing to act in the best interests of the state. “The APC remains the major opposition party in Rivers State. We are the voice of the voiceless. When we said Siminalayi Fubara was clueless, we were not joking. The evidence is clear,” Okocha stated. He argued that Fubara’s leadership has been ineffective, which he claims has led to the decline of governance in the state.
He went on to describe Fubara as a “dangerous snake” despite the governor’s public image of being a saint. “His meeting agenda with the lawmakers is puerile. Is he inviting them to discuss the Supreme Court judgment? And why was the invitation letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government instead of the governor himself? It’s an aberration. As far as I’m concerned it is a Greek Gift,” Okocha remarked.
Okocha also emphasized that the APC would not remain silent in the face of what he views as an incompetent administration. “We will not stand idly by while the governor runs the state aground with his style of governance,” he added. According to Okocha, the governor’s actions have not only undermined the state’s progress but also disrespected President Bola Tinubu, who had previously intervened in the state’s political crisis with a set of directives that Fubara allegedly failed to implement.
In a bold declaration, Okocha gave Fubara two choices: resign or face impeachment. “The options before Siminalayi Joseph Fubara are two: he should honourably resign or be impeached because he has run the state aground and disrespected Mr. President. The invitation to the lawmakers is a Greek Gift. The Supreme Court judgment is final. There is nothing anybody can do about it,” he stated. Okocha made it clear that he believes Fubara has committed numerous impeachable offenses and that there is effectively no functioning government in the state.
Okocha concluded his remarks with a warning about the potential political instability in Rivers State if Fubara remains in office. “The State is already sitting on a keg of gunpowder, and with a little spark, it will explode. So, let Fubara honourably resign,” he said, calling for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis and urging the governor to step down before further chaos ensues.
