The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has made it clear that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s suspension and alleged misconduct cannot be forgiven simply by joining the ruling party.
Okocha stated this during a media briefing at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday. He declared that Governor Fubara must face the consequences of his actions regardless of his political affiliations.
The governor, currently facing serious political and legal battles in Rivers State, has been at the centre of controversy since his fallout with his predecessor and political godfather, Nyesom Wike, who now serves as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Okocha’s comments come amid speculation that Fubara may defect to the APC in a bid to shield himself from impeachment and political isolation. However, the Rivers APC chairman insists that the party will not be a refuge for embattled politicians.
Responding to questions about whether Fubara would be welcomed into the APC, Okocha firmly said that the governor’s issues are not political but legal and administrative.
“If Fubara decides to join APC today, his sins cannot be forgiven,” he said. “This is not about politics. These are offences against the people of Rivers State, and the Supreme Court has already made a pronouncement that there is no government in Rivers State. If there is no government, something must be done. And that something was a state of emergency.”
He added, “You cannot jump into APC and think your offences are washed away. That would turn APC into a dumping ground for people with pending misconduct. The process of joining must be thorough. You must come through the door, not the window.”
The APC chairman also commented on the directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that both factions in the Rivers State crisis should seek reconciliation. He said that while the president meant well, Fubara has not shown any genuine willingness to resolve the crisis.
“There is no reconciliation effort ongoing in Rivers State,” Okocha declared. “I should know. I am the chairman of the APC in the state. The governor has not made any move to reconcile with lawmakers or stakeholders.”
Okocha said the president’s reconciliation directive followed due consultation with the National Assembly and other political leaders, but warned that without a genuine peace effort, Fubara still risks impeachment.
“Only genuine reconciliation can save him. He has not reached out to anybody. Not even the lawmakers he has problems with. That’s not how to build peace,” he said.
Okocha reiterated that the political instability in Rivers was serious enough to justify the declaration of a state of emergency, stressing that it had nothing to do with party politics.
“Fubara himself admitted that the president saved his job through the declaration of a state of emergency. That tells you how serious things were. It’s not a matter of party lines; it’s about governance and the rule of law,” he said.
The APC chairman also pointed to the Supreme Court judgment that questioned the legitimacy of Fubara’s actions, reinforcing the argument that the governor’s administration has lost legal backing.
On the issue of defection, Okocha warned that any attempt by the governor to join the APC must follow proper procedures. According to him, membership must start from the grassroots level, specifically from the ward level, as stipulated in the party’s constitution.
“Let me be clear, nobody is above the party structure,” he said. “If Fubara wants to join APC, he must come in through his ward, register properly, and be accepted by the local leadership. You don’t just walk into APC and expect automatic protection.”
He further explained that the APC in Rivers is not desperate for new members, especially those facing disciplinary or legal questions.
“We’re not looking for political orphans to take in. We want people who believe in our principles and want to serve the people with integrity,” he added.
Rivers State has been in political turmoil since the breakdown of the alliance between Governor Fubara and former Governor Wike. The rift led to the defection of lawmakers, parallel governments, court battles, and protests.
While the federal government has tried to calm the situation through intervention and peace talks, tension remains high, with no clear end in sight.
