Suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has been handed a fresh condition to escape impeachment from amid rumours that the governor may return to office on Thursday, June 12.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Tony Okocha has accused the governor of showing no commitment to peace or political healing following the crisis in the state.
“I can confirm that there is no reconciliation effort currently underway in Rivers,” Okocha said during a press briefing in Abuja. “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.”
Recall that in March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency, suspended Fubara, dissolved the State House of Assembly, and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas to administer the state for six months.
Despite reports of Fubara’s visit to President Tinubu and speculation about a possible defection to the APC, Okocha 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,” Okocha declared.
“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 a politically motivated act but a response to what he termed the governor’s “misdemeanour.”
“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,” he added.
The latest warning echoes concerns previously raised by former Governor Nyesom Wike, who had also criticized Fubara for not making any visible reconciliation efforts. Wike, speaking in an earlier press conference, admitted he would have advised against the emergency declaration had he been consulted but confirmed his initial support for Fubara’s impeachment by loyal lawmakers.
I want to appeal to both parties to pls give Peace a chance, and come together for the sake of Rivers People.
Let Rivers State work again
…It is not true. He has not spoken to me,” Okocha declared…
ME: Who are you? What is the source of your confidence that an elected governor should seek to speak to an imposter, when the authentic chairman is there. Your half-past nine is just seen illusions.
APOSTOLIC REVIVAL MOVEMENT IS SAYING NECESSARY POLITICAL STEP IS A NECESSARY NECESSITY
Some people will always like to add petrol to fire,what is the big deal in goinng to people to make peaceful dialog and move on.