The acting chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony C Okocha, has stated that the current government of Rivers State has done nothing but engage in frivolities since assuming power nine months ago.
Chief Okocha made this revelation while appearing on 95.1 (Today FM) and 92.3 (Nigerian Info) in Port-Harcourt. He is also the state representative on the management board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Chief Okocha emphasized that the time for politics has passed, and there is an urgent need for Governor Sim Fubara to focus on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State. According to him, the citizens did not elect him to conduct thanksgiving ceremonies every week.
Okocha questioned, “Who was really against Fubara, and what was the case against him? He won at the tribunal and the appeal court, and it was only natural for him to win at the Supreme Court.
Now that he has won, he has to cease the jamboree of thanksgivings in the twenty-three local government areas and concentrate on making Rivers people feel the impact of governance, which is why he was elected.”
“I heard each thanksgiving costs as much as one hundred to one hundred and fifty million. Multiply that by the twenty-three local government areas, and you’ll see how Rivers’ money is being wasted,” Okocha added.
Regarding the current state of projects, Chief Okocha expressed his disappointment, comparing Rivers State to Lagos State, which has become a hub of industrialisation.
He lamented the lack of tangible achievements, even in completing projects left by the former governor.
Concerning the eight-point agreement between President Buhari, Governor Sim, and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, Okocha emphasised, “The President gave orders, and they must be followed to the letter.
Doing six out of eight is unacceptable because partial obedience is disobedience. As the acting chairman of the party, I derive power from the national office, and I can query the lawmakers for not enforcing the instructions of our leader and President. I’m sure before it gets to that point, the governor will have done the right thing; there’s no two ways about this.”
“At no point did former Governor Wike try to remove Fubara during the court process. Remember, it was his lawyer that stood for Fubara throughout the judicial process.
Who was Wike going to replace Fubara with? Tonye Cole? That’s laughable. We will keep speaking and engaging with facts until the right thing is done.”
When asked about the Soku Cholera intervention and the honoring of Ken Saro-Wiwa by the NDDC, Okocha clarified, “The issue of Soku community is not one to be dragged back and forth.
I have never been to Soku in my entire life before the day we visited. We received information about the cholera outbreak, sent medical experts to verify, and it turned out to be true. I approached the management board of my commission, and they gave us approval.
That’s how we went to Soku and delivered health items to the people. The government claims we staged-managed it, and I asked at what point they visited the community to ascertain its truth. They can’t sit in Port-Harcourt and say something is not true.”
“To show how grateful the people are, they are still sending us thank-you messages. The issue of the late Ken Saro-Wiwa is one every mature Nigerian knows.
ALSO READ: I’m ready to sacrifice my office for peace of Rivers — Fubara
In fact, as a member of the Youth Labour Force, I attended all the sittings for the conviction of the late Saro-Wiwa. I knew he hasn’t been honored as much as he ought to have, that’s why, in my own little way, I thought my commission could honor the activist.
Especially when my brother, Hon Celestine Akpobari, brought it to my notice. This is why we got solar-powered streetlights to light up his community, and we intend to do a few other things in his honor.”