After Edo, APC Sets Eyes On Delta, Rivers

The factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State Mr Tony Okocha has said that the party has set its eyes on plucking Delta and Rivers States into its kitty.

He spoke just as the APC in Rivers State continues to disagree on the fate of the 27 members of the House of Assembly who last December claimed to have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the APC.

Okocha said that the party was yet to officially accept them. That, however, counters the claim of the court ordered chairman of the party in the state, Emeka Beke who has officially accepted them.

These lawmakers, led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, were initially elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Their alleged defection to the APC was linked to the ongoing disagreement between the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

On Monday, Chief Tony Okocha, the chairman of the APC caretaker committee in Rivers State, made it clear that these 27 lawmakers, who are loyal to Wike, are not officially part of the APC.

Speaking to reporters in Port Harcourt, he said: “At some point, I don’t get it; the House of Assembly members have said over and over again that they are not members of the All Progressives Congress and I confirm to you that they are not.

“What we are doing with them is to woo them to come and join us because we discovered that they were having their own internal crisis in their party. I am speaking to you in all authority that they never defected to the All Progressives Congress. There is no record. At least I am in charge; it would have been a joy for me if they had come over. They didn’t.”

Okocha also discussed the recent governorship election in Edo State, emphasizing that the APC is focused on gaining control of Rivers and Delta States by 2027. He expressed confidence that, in due time, the party would dominate all six states in the South-South region. He stated: “I will begin by thanking God Almighty who made it possible for all our endeavours in Edo State to come to pass. We are grateful to Mr. President and every other person who made sure that our party won the Edo governorship election.

“We are sure we are going to replicate what happened in Edo in Rivers and Delta States in 2027. At the fullness of time, the South-South Zone will have governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Regarding the upcoming local government elections scheduled for October 5, 2024, Okocha criticized the plan as an attempt to undermine the judiciary and the legal system. He noted that the APC has filed a lawsuit to prevent the election from taking place. Okocha, who is also a member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board, indicated that the election might not occur as planned due to the ongoing legal issues.

He explained: “The proposed local government election is another attempt to disrespect and disregard the Courts and laws of the land. The matter is before the Court and we are in Court. The environment in the state does not show that there will be any local government election in the state in the next one week. The governor should stop deceiving the people of the state. He knows that it is impossible for the local government election to hold when the matter surrounding the conduct of the election is before the Court and the Court’s ruling on the matter has not been vacated.”

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