Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to either resign or prepare to face impeachment over his ongoing political face-off with the state House of Assembly.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Monday, Okocha described Governor Fubara’s invitation to the pro-Wike faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly for a meeting as a “Greek gift,” dismissing it as insincere and belated.
Okocha’s remarks come amid the governor’s strained relationship with 27 lawmakers loyal to his estranged political mentor, Nyesom Wike. Governor Fubara had invited the lawmakers to a meeting at Government House following the expiration of a 48-hour ultimatum issued to him to present the 2025 budget and comply with other legislative directives.
Earlier, the Assembly had also demanded the sacking of commissioners and board members who were not screened and confirmed by the House, and summoned the Chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for questioning.
In a letter dated March 9 and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the governor expressed willingness to engage with the lawmakers on critical issues such as the budget, lawmakers’ allowances, and providing a suitable venue for Assembly sittings — a move Okocha has dismissed as a desperate attempt to avoid constitutional consequences.
“The invitation to the lawmakers is nothing but a Greek gift. The Supreme Court judgment is final, and there’s nothing more to debate,” Okocha said. “The only path left for the governor is to resign or face impeachment.”
Okocha also accused Fubara of trampling on the rule of law and acting with impunity.
This is not the first time Okocha has called for Fubara’s removal. Speaking last year on the division within the state legislature, Okocha insisted that the governor lacks the constitutional authority to declare duly elected Assembly members as non-existent.
“We have directed members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against what has become a comatose government,” he said. “The governor behaves like someone whose head has become bigger than his pillow. He does not respect the law and acts arbitrarily. Rivers State cannot be turned into a laughing stock because of one man’s recklessness.”
Okocha criticized Fubara for disregarding the constitutional principle of separation of powers, accusing him of attempting to run a government without legislative oversight.
“As an opposition party, we will not remain silent while the governor turns Rivers State into a dictatorship. His suggestion that the Assembly does not exist is absurd and unconstitutional. The role of the governor is to proclaim the Assembly once every four years, not to dissolve or dismiss it at will,” Okocha said.
He warned that if lawmakers fail to initiate impeachment proceedings, the party would invoke disciplinary measures in line with constitutional provisions.
Okocha also condemned what he described as the governor’s subtle denigration of President Bola Tinubu and accused Fubara of deliberately undermining the democratic process in Rivers State.
“The Assembly represents the people and was duly elected. They are not his appointees. Where did Governor Fubara derive the power to say they are non-existent?” Okocha queried.
The political crisis in Rivers State continues to escalate, despite a Supreme Court ruling widely expected to resolve the feud. Instead, both factions have interpreted the judgment to suit their positions, leaving the state’s political landscape increasingly tense.
