Rivers State APC Chairman Tony Okocha has stated that there must be “genuine reconciliation” with lawmakers for Fudara impeachment condition, dismissing any notion that defection to APC would absolve him
Fubara Impeachment Condition is stated as Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara faces a stern new condition to avert impeachment, as the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, insists on “genuine reconciliation” with the state lawmakers. This comes amid persistent rumours that the suspended governor might return to office as early as Thursday, June 12.
Also read: Fubara Faces impeachment threat as APC demands reconciliation in Rivers crisis
During a press briefing in Abuja, Okocha accused Governor Fubara of showing no commitment to peace or political healing following the ongoing crisis in the state.
“I can confirm that there is no reconciliation effort currently underway in Rivers,” Okocha stated.
“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.”
It will be recalled that in March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, suspending Fubara, dissolving the State House of Assembly, and appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas to administer the state for six months.
Despite reports of Fubara’s recent visit to President Tinubu and speculation about a possible defection to the APC, Okocha vehemently dismissed any idea that such a move would shield the governor from accountability.
If Fubara decides to join the APC, it has nothing to do with the state of emergency in Rivers State. His sins cannot be forgiven because he came to our party. It is not true. He has not spoken to me.
He further clarified the defection process: “He will enter the party through the door, not the window. There are procedures for defection. Politics is local. He must defect from his ward, and none of our ward chairmen have confirmed any such move.”
Okocha reiterated that Fubara’s suspension was not politically motivated but a direct response to what he termed the governor’s “misdemeanour.”
He added, “Don’t forget, the Supreme Court said there was no government in Rivers State. Something had to be done — and that was the state of emergency.”
This latest warning from the APC chairman echoes concerns previously raised by former Governor Nyesom Wike, who had also criticised Fubara for a lack of visible reconciliation efforts.
Also read: Wike says PDP will survive as stakeholders rally behind opposition revival
Wike, in an earlier press conference, admitted that he would have advised against the emergency declaration had he been consulted, but confirmed his initial support for Fubara’s impeachment by lawmakers loyal to him.
