By Barikui Felix
The faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State led by Chief Tony Okocha has declared that the suspended Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, would not find forgiveness in the party even if he defects from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Okocha made this known while responding to questions about Fubara’s recent Sallah homage to President Bola Tinubu and the political interpretations trailing the visit.
According to him, Fubara’s suspension and the call for a state of emergency in Rivers State were based on his alleged misconduct, not political considerations.
“If Fubara decides to join the APC, it has nothing to do with the state of emergency in Rivers State. His sins cannot be forgiven simply because he comes to our party,” Okocha stated.
“You don’t just jump into the APC and expect your sins to be forgiven. That would make the APC a dumping ground for people who have committed misdemeanors and expect reconciliation as a given. It doesn’t work that way.”
Okocha also noted that Fubara has not formally contacted the party leadership regarding any move to defect.
“He hasn’t spoken to me. If he wants to join the APC, he must do so properly — through the door, not the window. Not only him, but anyone seeking to defect must follow due process. Politics is local. If he truly understands politics, he should begin by defecting through his ward. So far, I’ve asked my ward chairmen, and none have received any information about Fubara joining the APC,” he added.
When asked if he was concerned about Fubara’s meeting with the President, Okocha dismissed such fears.
“How can I be worried that someone visited my President? Don’t forget, it was Sallah season. I read that former Ogun State Governor, Chief Osoba, also paid Sallah homage. I also saw Chief Nyesom Wike with the President. So, we can’t be worried or dictate who the President should or should not meet. If I had applied to see the President, I probably would have been there too with my team.”
On reports of reconciliation moves by Fubara, Okocha said he was unaware of any such efforts.
“I am not a prophet of doom, but with the benefit of information available to me, I can confidently say I am not aware of any reconciliatory move by Fubara or his team,” he said.
“Talking to the President is not reconciliation. The President has advised him to go and make peace, but so far, no such attempt has been made.”
