The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a new turn as the Chairman of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Tony Okocha, has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to either resign or face impeachment.
Okocha made this demand while addressing journalists in Port Harcourt today, describing the governor’s recent actions as deceptive and a desperate attempt to regain lost ground.
Backdrop of the Crisis
The call for Fubara’s resignation follows a recent Supreme Court judgment that validated the 27 lawmakers who had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC as the legitimate legislature in Rivers State.
Following the ruling, Fubara, in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, invited the lawmakers to a meeting. However, Okocha dismissed this invitation as a “Greek gift,” questioning the governor’s sincerity after months of political standoff.
Okocha criticized the governor’s approach to governance, stating that his actions have been detrimental to the state. He accused Fubara of violating constitutional provisions, failing to implement President Bola Tinubu’s eight-point agenda for resolving the political crisis, and undermining the authority of the judiciary and legislature.
APC’s Position on Fubara’s Administration
During the press briefing, Okocha reinforced the APC’s stance as the main opposition party in the state, declaring that they would not stand idly by while Fubara allegedly runs the state aground.
“The APC remains the major opposition party in Rivers State. We are the voice of the voiceless. When we said Siminalayi Fubara was clueless, we were not joking. The evidence is clear,” Okocha stated.
He further lambasted the governor’s mode of communication with the lawmakers, arguing that an invitation letter from the Secretary to the State Government rather than the governor himself was an “aberration” and a sign of unseriousness.
“The governor behaves like a saint, but he is a dangerous snake. His meeting agenda with the lawmakers is puerile. Is he inviting them to discuss the Supreme Court judgment? The judgment is final, and there is nothing anybody can do about it,” Okocha asserted.
Call for Resignation or Impeachment
With tensions rising, Okocha declared that the only viable options left for Fubara were to resign voluntarily or face impeachment.
“The options before Siminalayi Joseph Fubara are two: he should honorably resign or be impeached because he has run the state aground and disrespected Mr. President,” he said. “The invitation to the lawmakers is a Greek Gift. The only option available to the governor now is for him to resign or be impeached. And he should be honorable about it.”
Okocha warned that if the governor refused to step down, the House of Assembly would have no choice but to initiate impeachment proceedings, citing multiple impeachable offenses allegedly committed by Fubara.
“If he refuses to resign, he will be impeached. I don’t need to be a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly to know the numerous impeachable offenses he has committed. There is no government in Rivers State,” he stated.
Potential Political Instability
The APC chairman also expressed concerns about the potential for political instability in the state, warning that Rivers was on the brink of chaos if the situation was not handled appropriately.
“The State is already sitting on a keg of gunpowder, and with a little spark, it will explode. So, let Fubara honorably resign,” he warned.
The Road Ahead
As the crisis unfolds, political analysts believe the next few weeks will be crucial in determining Rivers State’s political future. Some argue that the Supreme Court’s validation of the 27 lawmakers strengthens the Assembly’s ability to impeach Fubara if necessary.
Others believe the governor still holds significant support from political allies and local stakeholders who may resist moves to remove him from office.
Meanwhile, supporters of the governor have condemned Okocha’s remarks, describing them as inflammatory and a calculated attempt to destabilize the state.
A senior official in the Rivers State government, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that Fubara remains committed to serving the people of Rivers State and that calls for his resignation are unwarranted.
“The governor is focused on governance and the development of Rivers State. His priority is to ensure that the state remains stable despite political distractions.
The people of Rivers State overwhelmingly voted for him, and he remains accountable to them,” the official stated.
With both sides refusing to back down, the political situation in Rivers State remains volatile. If Fubara does not step down, the likelihood of impeachment proceedings looms large, a process that could further polarize the state’s political landscape.
As tensions escalate, observers are keenly watching to see if a political compromise can be reached or if Rivers State will plunge deeper into political turmoil.
The coming days will be crucial in shaping the state’s governance and stability, with stakeholders closely monitoring the actions of both the governor and the opposition.
Whether through resignation, impeachment, or a negotiated resolution, Rivers State stands at a crossroads in its political journey.
