The APC River warned Fubara for the reconciliation movement

When the State of Rivers wrestled with the result of the political crisis that caused the suspension of the governor and the imposition of an emergency, the state chapter of all the progressive congress (APC) had issued a clear warning: only a sincere reconciliation effort with members of the state parliament that could save the governor who was deferred by Siminaayi Fubara from imeachment.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Tony Okocha, Chair of the APC Guard Committee in Rivers, stated firmly that the Governor of Fubara did not make efforts to improve relations with the elected state legislators, a condition he described as critical of the opportunity for political redemption.

“I can confirm that there is no reconciliation effort that is taking place in the river,” Okocha said. “The deferred governor has not made any step to make peace with members of parliament. Only the original reconciliation can save him from the impeachment, as relied on by the Supreme Court’s decision.”

His comments arose because of a new call from the Youth Group Coalition in the State of Rivers who urged the President of Bola Tinubu to restore the democratic government in the state and return the Governor of Fubara in the spirit of the Democratic Day, which will be observed nationally on June 12.

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The state remains under an emergency six months since March 18, 2025, when President Tinubu suspected Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Prof. NGOZI ODU, and Members of the State Council Council. Retired representatives of Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas were appointed as the sole administrator to oversee the country during this period.

Political riots originated from the struggle for power that had been running for a long time between Fubara and its predecessor, Minister of Territory Federal Capital, Nyesom Wike, a competition that had cracked political loyalty and paralyzed governance in the river.

Although the recent reconciliation effort was mediated by the president, including a closed meeting between Tinubu, Wike, and Fubara, APC’s leadership in Rivers remained skeptical of the intentions of the Governor who was suspended.

When asked whether the fubara defector reportedly against APC could affect his position, Okocha directly fired the idea.

“Defects to APC are not runaway routes,” he said. “If Fubara decides to join APC, it has nothing to do with an emergency. His mistake causes his suspension, not politics. We will not let our party become a place of disposal for people who try to avoid accountability.”

Okocha insisted that the right procedure must be followed if the governor wants to be disabled, starting from the local ward. “He hasn’t talked to me. Nobody brought information about him officially joined APC,” he added.

He also rejected the idea that the meeting between Fubara and President Tinubu signaled any political change.

“How can I worry that someone visits the president?” He asked. “This is the season of sallah. Many people pay their respects, including prominent figures such as the heads of Osoba and Wike. We cannot limit the president from the meeting of whoever he wants. That is not the same as the political arrangement.”