Omiete Blessing
The Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Tony Okocha, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of presenting the 2025 state budget to an “illegal legislative assembly,”.
Okocha said presenting the 2025 budget to a 3-man State House of Assembly is in violation of court rulings and established governance protocols.
The APC chairman who stated this, while briefing in Port Harcourt, said the governor’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the rule of law and judicial pronouncements.
He mentioned a 2024 ruling by Justice James Omotosho, which mandated that budgets must be presented to the legislative arm led by Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker recognised by law.
“It is unimaginable and unthinkable that a governor with such a rich background in finance and governance would choose to sidestep legal processes. The Assembly has 30 functional members, yet the budget was presented in a setting that courts have described as illegitimate.”
The APC Chairman further criticised the governor’s leadership style, labeling it as divisive and confrontational.
He expressed concerns about escalating political tensions in 2025, accusing the governor of stoking hostilities rather than fostering reconciliation.
“I expected the governor to use the new year to extend an olive branch and promote peace, but instead, he continues to fuel the flames of division,” Okocha stated.
Okocha admitted failure in persuading 27 assembly members to defect to the APC. He noted that none of them registered with the party, reaffirming their allegiance to the PDP.
“As far as membership goes, they remain PDP members. I lost that bid, but my focus remains on progress, not on joining the governor’s journey to self-destruction,” he added.
Okocha’s remarks come amid growing political tensions in Rivers State, with the opposition accusing the Fubara administration of overreach and disregard for democratic principles.