Political tensions in Rivers State have reached a boiling point as Tony Okocha, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, has issued a strong ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, urging him to either resign or face impeachment.
Okocha’s demand comes in the wake of 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 situation escalated further when Governor Fubara invited the 27 lawmakers for a meeting, a move Okocha has criticized as a “Greek gift”—appearing generous but ultimately deceptive.
The invitation, signed by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Tammy Danagogo, was seen as an attempt to resolve months of political tension. However, Okocha dismissed the gesture as insincere and politically motivated.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday, Okocha accused Governor Fubara of mismanaging the state, disrespecting the law, and disregarding President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, which had been intended to address the state’s political crisis. According to Okocha, Fubara’s failure to implement most of the agenda has worsened the situation.
“The APC remains the major opposition party in Rivers State. We are the voice of the voiceless,” Okocha stated. “When we said Siminalayi Fubara was clueless, we weren’t joking. The evidence is clear.”
Okocha went on to criticize the governor’s meeting with the lawmakers, questioning its true purpose and why the Secretary to the State Government signed the invitation instead of the governor himself. He called the invitation a politically motivated gesture and described it as a “Greek gift.”
The APC chieftain warned that the governor’s continued leadership could lead to further instability in the state, calling Rivers “a keg of gunpowder.” He urged Fubara to step down to prevent an escalation of the political crisis.
Okocha outlined two possible courses of action for the governor: either resign honorably or face impeachment. “The state is already sitting on a keg of gunpowder, and with a little spark, it could explode,” he cautioned. “Fubara must honorably resign to avoid further escalation.”
