Edwin Woko, a member of Rivers State’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticized Tony Okocha, the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) factional chairman, for claiming that Governor Siminalayi Fubara is causing disarray within the party.
Following a recent court decision that declared the APC’s state, local government, and ward congresses invalid, Tony Okocha claimed that Governor Fubara was inciting internal strife inside the party. The party’s noncompliance with an existing court order was highlighted in the judgment.
Woko responded by calling the accusations unfounded and characterizing them as an effort to place the blame for the internal problems of the APC elsewhere.
Woko emphasized in a statement on Wednesday that Governor Fubara was not involved in the difficulties affecting the APC, pointing out that the opposition party has been in chaos since losing Rivers State in 2015.
Woko said: “It is pertinent to set the record straight regarding the allegations made by Tony Okocha against the executive governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, concerning the nullification of the purported congresses conducted by the factional APC, led by Tony Okocha. The Rivers State High Court invalidated these congresses because APC failed to comply with a court order restraining it from proceeding with such activities. Despite the court’s directive, APC ignored the order and went ahead with the so-called congresses.
“Now, the same people are pointing accusing fingers at the governor of Rivers State. Honestly, in my view, it is both incorrect and unthinkable for Tony Okocha to implicate Governor Fubara in the unproductive activities of APC.
“One major challenge of the Rivers State APC is their failure to learn from history. This failure has subjected them to untold hardship since 2015. It was this same issue that prevented APC Rivers State from sponsoring candidates for any elective office in 2019.
“The same attitude has resurfaced, and they are now accusing our governor, who is working tirelessly to restore the lost glory of Rivers State.”
After the Aaron Chukwuemeka-led state executives in Rivers State resigned, Woko reaffirmed his role as the party’s factional chairman and further stated that, in contrast to Okocha’s assertions, Governor Fubara is still an active member of the PDP in the state.
He said: “It is also important to note that Governor Fubara is still a committed member of PDP and the leader of the Rivers State PDP.”
