The embattled Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of interfering in the internal affairs of the APC.
Okocha alleged that the governor was influencing the outcomes of court cases involving the party, likening the judiciary in Rivers State to the governor’s “supermarket.”
The accusation followed last Friday’s judgment by the Rivers State High Court, which nullified the APC’s recent congresses in the state.
The presiding judge, Godswill Obomanu, had berated the APC for proceeding with the congresses despite a court order to maintain the status quo.
But Okocha blamed Fubara for the unfavourable judgment.
“The governor is now in the business of divide and rule, making a mockery of the judiciary in Rivers State. My friends have urged me to refrain from using harsh language, but I must repeat that the judiciary in this state operates like a supermarket.
“It is the governor’s supermarket, where he purchases any judgment, he desires and assigns cases as he pleases. Everything is predetermined, for crying out loud.”
However, in a swift reaction, Fubara’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, dismissed Okocha’s claims and urged him to verify his facts.
Omatsogunwa said it was inappropriate to attribute ethnic sentiments to court rulings that do not favour certain parties.
He called on the APC to resolve its internal issues without involving Governor Fubara.
“You disobey a court order, and when the hammer falls, you blame the governor? He controls the executive arm, not the judiciary. Is it that whenever a judgment doesn’t go your way, you resort to ethnic sentiments?” Omatsogunwa asked.
He added, “Okocha should focus on managing the crisis in his party. If he cannot, he should resign instead of blaming someone uninvolved in APC affairs. The governor is busy with significant state matters, including project commissioning and flag-offs. He has no time for what Okocha is imagining.”
During a news briefing at his residence in Rumuigbo, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Okocha also claimed that Governor Fubara was no longer a member of the Peoples Democratic Party or any political party.
“I thought all this bravado Fubara is directing at the APC would have been better used to re-register himself as a PDP member. Today, I can categorically say he has no party affiliation. If there were an election today, he wouldn’t have a platform to contest because the PDP won’t sponsor him,” Okocha asserted.
Okocha accused the governor of orchestrating a “macabre dance” in Rivers’ politics, using his influence to manipulate the judiciary and destabilise the APC.
He also criticised the Rivers’ judiciary, alleging that judges frequently issue orders favouring the governor and interfering in APC matters.
Addressing the APC congress issue, Okocha said the national secretariat had scheduled the congresses well in advance.
“Forms were sold, and I purchased mine for N3m. I campaigned everywhere and was ready for the election. However, party members said there was no need to change a winning team,” he explained.
He expressed disbelief that the party leadership could be unaware of any court process challenging the congresses.
“I can’t be a soothsayer to predict court processes. Are you saying our party leadership is so daft that they’d inaugurate us without due diligence? If the National Working Committee’s visit to Rivers was publicised, I’m sure an order would have been issued restraining the National Chairman from even entering Port Harcourt,” Okocha said.
He alleged rot in the River State judiciary, saying, “Every time the NJC investigates judges, Rivers State always has a representative. Doesn’t that speak volumes about how petty the judiciary here has become?” (Punch)
