The All Progressives Congress (APC) Rivers State chapter has categorically denied claims that 27 embattled lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly defected to its party from the PDP. The state chairman of the APC, Tony Okocha during a press briefing in Port Harcourt clarified the situation surrounding a December 2023 event at the Port Harcourt Polo Club, which was widely interpreted as a reception for the lawmakers.
Okocha stated that the event was solely a celebration of the inauguration of the state executive council of the APC. He emphasized that neither he nor the party officially received Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule and his colleagues, clarifying their presence as that of friends and individuals he had attempted to recruit into the party. While acknowledging outreach efforts to the lawmakers, he stressed that there was no formal reception to welcome them into the APC.
Accusations Against Governor Fubara
Okocha’s press briefing also included strong criticism of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, accusing him of consistently disregarding court orders. Specifically, he referenced a Federal High Court judgment by Justice James Omotosho, which granted 15 reliefs in favor of Amaewhule and his group. Okocha alleged that the governor has blatantly ignored this judgment.
Further criticism focused on Governor Fubara’s handling of the 2024 state budget. Okocha argued that presenting the budget to what he termed a “three-man Assembly” is unlawful, citing the ongoing crisis within the state legislature and a related Appeal Court ruling. He urged respect for the Supreme Court’s eventual decision on the matter.
Call for Respect for Supreme Court Ruling
Okocha concluded by urging both factions involved in the Rivers State House of Assembly crisis to accept and abide by the forthcoming Supreme Court ruling on the matter. He expressed a hope that both sides would demonstrate the courage to respect the court’s final judgment.
Conclusion
The APC’s denial of the lawmakers’ defection highlights the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State. The accusations leveled against Governor Fubara underscore the deep-seated divisions and the ongoing legal battles surrounding the state legislature. The ultimate resolution of these issues rests with the Supreme Court, and the APC’s call for acceptance of its decision emphasizes the importance of upholding the rule of law in resolving the crisis.
