The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has refuted claims that 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Okocha stated that the event that took place on December 11, 2023, at the Polo Club in Port Harcourt, which many believed was a reception for the defected lawmakers, was instead a gathering to celebrate the establishment of a new APC state executive council.
His clarification comes amid increasing discussions about the political crisis in Rivers State, as Nigerians await the Supreme Court’s ruling on multiple cases tied to the situation.
No Official Defection, Says Okocha
Speaking to journalists after an APC State Executive Council meeting at the party’s secretariat on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, Okocha insisted that he never formally welcomed the 27 lawmakers into the APC.
He explained that the lawmakers attended the event on a personal basis because of his long-standing relationship with them. According to him, the gathering was wrongly interpreted as a formal defection ceremony.
“There was no intention to organise a reception for what we were not holding. We were inaugurated in Abuja, and we chose to hold a reception and thanksgiving for our members. It was not to receive the 27 lawmakers,” he said.
He added, “We were misinterpreted to have received the 27 lawmakers into APC. That is not correct. We invited individual members of the Assembly. I have a relationship with them over time. We tried to convince them to join us. We would have been happy if we had succeeded.”
He stressed that claims on social media and television that the lawmakers had defected were misleading, arguing that such matters must be legally documented.
“The law is not about emotions. It is as strict as it is,” he said.
Accusations Against Governor Fubara
Okocha did not hold back in his criticism of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. He accused the governor of attempting to create instability in the state by disregarding court judgments.
He claimed that Governor Fubara has been running the state without a proper budget, describing this as a violation of the rule of law. According to him, such actions could lead to dangerous consequences if affected parties decide to take matters into their own hands.
“The governor is fond of going to lower courts to seek judgments on matters already decided by higher courts,” Okocha alleged. “There is no way a high court can set aside a matter decided by the Court of Appeal.”
He further warned that if the Supreme Court delivers judgments on critical cases in Rivers State, there is a risk that they may not be obeyed, given the precedent allegedly being set by the governor.
“There is a fear that Supreme Court judgments on certain issues may not be obeyed now that the precedent seems to have been set,” he said.
Claims of Budget Irregularities
Okocha questioned how Governor Fubara could govern the state without a proper budget in place.
“We are here to lend our voice to the debate of who is a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly or not. We are disenchanted with Fubara’s disrespect for the law. He is selective in which court ruling to obey and which one not to obey. This leads to disorder by forcing people to take matters into their own hands,” he said.
He added that his faction of the APC in Rivers State, despite being declared illegal by a high court in Port Harcourt, will continue to speak on important governance issues in the state.
Supreme Court Case and Legal Interpretations
Okocha also commented on the Supreme Court’s recent decision regarding the 2024 budget. He argued that the dismissal of the case did not validate the legitimacy of the Fubara-led government’s budget process.
He explained that the case had 15 aspects, and by withdrawing his appeal, the governor had allowed all those aspects to remain unresolved.
“The ruling allows parties to go back to the way things were before the case was instituted. The Court of Appeal had ruled that the governor does not have a budget. The proper step should be to return the budget to Amaewhule and his Assembly. How can the governor say the dismissal was just an academic issue?” he said.
Background to the Political Crisis
The political crisis in Rivers State began in 2023 when tensions arose between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The rift led to divisions within the state legislature, with 27 lawmakers initially loyal to Wike allegedly defecting from the PDP to the APC.
The controversy worsened when these lawmakers, led by Martin Amaewhule, attempted to assert their authority over state affairs, including budget approvals. Governor Fubara responded by declaring their seats vacant, leading to multiple legal battles.
While some court rulings have supported the lawmakers’ claims, others have backed the governor’s stance. The Supreme Court is expected to provide final clarity on the matter.
Political Implications
Okocha’s statements highlight the deep divisions within Rivers State politics. His remarks suggest that the APC is keen on expanding its influence in the state, especially by winning over lawmakers who were once PDP members.
On the other hand, Governor Fubara’s camp insists that the 27 lawmakers lost their positions the moment they switched allegiance, whether formally or informally. His supporters argue that the courts have already established that the Assembly, now with a reduced number of members, remains legally valid.
The ongoing crisis has created uncertainty for governance in Rivers State. With conflicting claims and multiple legal cases, the state’s political future remains unpredictable.
What’s Next?
As the Supreme Court prepares to deliver its final rulings, the political tension in Rivers State is unlikely to ease anytime soon. Observers believe that the verdicts will either strengthen Fubara’s control over the state or give the Amaewhule-led lawmakers a fresh opportunity to reclaim their legislative authority.
Meanwhile, Okocha’s insistence that the lawmakers never officially defected to the APC adds a new twist to the unfolding drama. If his claims are accurate, it raises questions about whether the lawmakers still hold valid PDP membership or if they are in political limbo.
With both sides preparing for the Supreme Court’s decision, Rivers State remains at the center of one of Nigeria’s most intense political battles. The outcome will not only shape the state’s governance but could also influence broader political dynamics ahead of the next election cycle.