Rivers: PDP tackles embattled APC state Chairman, Okocha over allegations against Fubara

Jude Opara

A member of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Rivers State, Edwin Woko, has criticised the factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), in the state, Tony Okocha, for accusing Governor Siminalayi Fubara of instigating chaos within APC.
Tony Okocha alleged that Governor Fubara was sponsoring crises within APC following a recent court ruling that nullified the party’s state, local government, and ward congresses.
The judgement cited the party’s failure to comply with an existing court order.
In response, Woko dismissed the allegations as baseless, describing them as an attempt to shift blame for APC’s internal issues.
Woko in a statement emphasised that Governor Fubara had no involvement in the challenges facing APC, noting that the opposition party has been in disarray since losing control of Rivers State in 2015.
Woko stated: “It is pertinent to set the record straight regarding the allegations made by Tony Okocha against the executive governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, concerning the nullification of the purported congresses conducted by the factional APC, led by Tony Okocha. The Rivers State High Court invalidated these congresses because APC failed to comply with a court order restraining it from proceeding with such activities. Despite the court’s directive, APC ignored the order and went ahead with the so-called congresses.
“Now, the same people are pointing accusing fingers at the governor of Rivers State. Honestly, in my view, it is both incorrect and unthinkable for Tony Okocha to implicate Governor Fubara in the unproductive activities of APC.
“One major challenge of the Rivers State APC is their failure to learn from history. This failure has subjected them to untold hardship since 2015. It was this same issue that prevented APC Rivers State from sponsoring candidates for any elective office in 2019.
“The same attitude has resurfaced, and they are now accusing our governor, who is working tirelessly to restore the lost glory of Rivers State.”
Woko, who asserted his position as the factional chairman of PDP in Rivers State following the expiration of the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led state executives, further reiterated that Governor Fubara remains a committed member of the PDP in the state, contrary to Okocha’s claims.
He said: “It is also important to note that Governor Fubara is still a committed member of PDP and the leader of the Rivers State PDP.”