Edwin Woko, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, has condemned Tony Okocha, the factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, for blaming Governor Siminalayi Fubara for creating turmoil within the APC. Okocha claimed that Governor Fubara was funding conflicts within the party after a recent court decision invalidated the state, local government, and ward congresses of the APC. The ruling highlighted the party’s non-compliance with a previous court order. In reaction, Woko rejected the claims as unfounded, calling them an attempt to divert attention from APC’s internal problems. In a Wednesday statement, Woko stressed that Governor Fubara was not involved in the difficulties facing APC, pointing out that the opposition party has been disorganized since it lost control of Rivers State in 2015. Woko remarked, “It is important to clarify the accusations made by Tony Okocha against the executive governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, regarding the invalidation of the alleged congresses held by the factional APC led by Tony Okocha.” The Rivers State High Court deemed these congresses null and void because the APC did not adhere to a court order that prohibited them from carrying out such activities. Even though the court issued an order, the APC disregarded it and proceeded with the alleged congresses. “Now, those same individuals are blaming the governor of Rivers State.” In my opinion, it is both wrong and unreasonable for Tony Okocha to involve Governor Fubara in the ineffective actions of the APC. A significant issue with the Rivers State APC is their inability to draw lessons from the past. Since 2015, this failure has caused them immense suffering. This same problem stopped APC Rivers State from backing candidates for any elective positions in 2019. “The same mentality has come up again, and they are now blaming our governor, who is putting in great effort to bring back the former glory of Rivers State.” Woko, who declared himself the factional chairman of the PDP in Rivers State after the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led state executives ended their term, emphasized that Governor Fubara continues to be a dedicated member of the PDP, countering Okocha’s assertions. He stated, “It’s crucial to highlight that Governor Fubara remains a loyal member of the PDP and the leader of the Rivers State PDP.”
