Mr. Tony Okocha, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has underscored Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the political protege of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Okocha highlighted Wike's pivotal role in Fubara's rise, asserting that without Wike's substantial backing, Fubara would not have become governor.
Speaking on Channels Television’s "Politics Today," Okocha emphasized the significant political feud between Governor Fubara and his mentor, Wike, stemming from the latter's efforts to protect his political legacy in the state. Okocha remarked, "From civil servant to party candidate, and winning in all 23 local governments, it was Wike’s maneuvering. Wike has publicly stated that while he demands nothing from Fubara, he is against the dismantling of the structure that enabled Fubara's election".
According to ChannelsTelevision News reports, Okocha said, "The former governor has said, ‘I am not asking you for anything. I am only saying that you are destroying the structure that produced you.’ This ongoing rift has seen Governor Fubara survive an impeachment attempt by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly. Nonetheless, Wike remains determined to uphold his political influence in Rivers State.
Recently, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed an order from a Rivers High Court that restrained Amaewhule and 24 others from acting as lawmakers. A three-member panel, led by Jimi Olukayode-Bada, declared the trial court lacked jurisdiction, affirming that such matters fall under federal court authority. Okocha, reacting to the appellate court’s decision, stressed the importance of adhering to the judgment, noting that unless overturned by the Supreme Court, the verdict stands as the law of the land. "The Court of Appeal judgment should be seen as sacrosanct and obeyed by all parties," he concluded.