The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has once again thrown its full support behind President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State, asserting that the move has resolved 90 percent of the political crisis in the troubled region.
Chief Tony Okocha, chairman of the APC’s caretaker committee in Rivers State, told reporters at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja that the emergency measures were “a necessary evil” needed to stem the chaos that had gripped the state. “It is like when you have a hernia, and the only solution is for an operation. The hernia is painful and the operation is painful, but without the operation, you won’t have any peace,” he said, emphasizing that the suspension or impeachment of certain officials was vital for immediate stability.
Okocha specifically noted that while some critics had expected the suspension of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, His Excellency Nyesom Wike—who is also the former Governor of Rivers State—the minister was never involved in the crisis. “Was he in the fray? The answer is no,” he stated, adding that Wike was not part of the contentious political structure that had led to the turmoil.
Referring to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Okocha remarked that although Fubara had been deemed “the weakest political investment,” his removal was deemed necessary to prevent further disintegration of the state’s political framework. “He had become so hydra-headed that his head became bigger than his pillow,” Okocha said, alluding to Fubara’s contentious leadership style and the internal dynamics that prompted the drastic measure.
Okocha also highlighted that the 32 Assembly members had been sponsored by Wike, noting that the crisis had engulfed all levels of state government. “If you want to bring someone into the fray because they are the leader of that political structure, then you may be right. But in this case, the focus was on resolving the crisis which had reached a boiling point,” he explained.
The APC’s support for Tinubu’s decision underscores the party’s commitment to restoring order in Rivers State and sending a strong message to dissenters. “For the immediate, it was necessary,” Okocha reiterated, stressing that the emergency measures would be temporary and that the APC remains focused on long-term peace and stability.
As Rivers State begins to emerge from a period of intense political upheaval, APC leaders remain confident that the steps taken will pave the way for renewed progress and effective governance across the region.
