The political tension in Rivers State has reached a boiling point as a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Tony Okocha, has issued a stern ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to either resign or face impeachment.
Okocha’s call comes amid a heated political standoff following the Supreme Court’s recent validation of 27 state lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, as the legitimate legislative body in the state.
The crisis took a new turn when Governor Fubara extended an invitation to the 27 lawmakers for a meeting, a move Okocha described as a “Greek gift” and a gesture that appears generous but is ultimately deceptive.
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The invitation, signed by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Tammy Danagogo, was seen as an attempt to mend fences after months of political grandstanding. However, Okocha dismissed the gesture as insincere and politically motivated.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, Okocha did not mince words, as he accused Governor Fubara of running the state into the ground, flouting the law, and disrespecting President Bola Tinubu, who had previously intervened in the state’s political crisis with an eight-point agenda.
According to Okocha, the governor’s failure to implement most of the agenda has further exacerbated the situation.
“The APC remains the major opposition party in Rivers State. We are the voice of the voiceless,” Okocha declared. “When we said Siminalayi Fubara was clueless, we were not joking. The evidence is clear.
“The governor behaves like a saint, but he is a dangerous snake. 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 emphasized that the APC would not stand idly while the governor allegedly mismanages the state. He outlined two options for Fubara which are to resign honorably 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,” Okocha stated.
The APC chairman also warned that the governor’s continued stay in office could lead to political instability, describing the state as “sitting on a keg of gunpowder.”
He urged Fubara to step down to avoid further escalation. “The state is already sitting on a keg of gunpowder, and with a little spark, it will explode. So, let Fubara honourably resign,” Okocha cautioned.
