As Rivers State continues to grapple with the aftermath of a political crisis, the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stern warning: only genuine reconciliation efforts with state lawmakers can save suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara from impeachment.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee in Rivers, unequivocally stated that Governor Fubara has made no attempt to mend relations with the elected state legislators.
He described this as a critical condition for any chance of political redemption.
Read Also: Why Fubara Has No Blame If He Joins APC – Opposition Lawmakers
“I can confirm that there is no reconciliation effort currently underway in Rivers,” Okocha declared.
“The suspended governor has not made any move to reconcile with the lawmakers. Only genuine reconciliation can save him from impeachment, as the Supreme Court judgment stands.”
Okocha’s comments come amidst renewed calls from a coalition of youth groups in Rivers State urging President Bola Tinubu to restore democratic governance and reinstate Governor Fubara in the spirit of Democracy Day, observed nationwide on June 12.
The state has been under a six-month state of emergency since March 18, 2025, when President Tinubu suspended Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu, and members of the state House of Assembly.
Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas was appointed as sole administrator during this period.
The political unrest stems from a long-running power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
This rivalry has fractured political loyalties and paralyzed governance in Rivers. Despite recent attempts at reconciliation brokered by the presidency, including closed-door meetings between Tinubu, Wike, and Fubara, the APC leadership in Rivers remains skeptical of the suspended governor’s intentions.
When asked whether Fubara’s rumored defection to the APC might affect his standing, Okocha dismissed the notion outright. “Defecting to APC is not an escape route,”he said.“If Fubara decides to join the APC, it has nothing to do with the state of emergency. His misconduct led to his suspension, not politics. We will not allow our party to become a dumping ground for people trying to evade accountability.”
Okocha insisted that proper procedures must be followed if the governor wishes to defect, starting from his local ward. “He has not spoken to me. Nobody has brought any information about him officially joining the APC,” he added.
He also rejected the idea that meetings between Fubara and President Tinubu signaled any political shift. “How can I be worried that someone visited the President?” he asked. “It’s Sallah season. Many people are paying homage, including prominent figures like Chief Osoba and Wike. We cannot restrict the President from meeting whomever he wishes. That doesn’t equate to political realignment.”
Join Informant Online WhatsApp Channel With Link Below: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaihFajBadmT29ufud2
