In a virtual interview on TVC News, Tony Okocha, Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, stated that the lawmakers who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC were not officially registered members of the party, and that the APC was still trying to woo them. However, Tambari Gbara, Rivers State Commissioner for Environment, pushed back against Okocha's claims, accusing him of "speaking from both sides of his mouth" and contradicting his earlier stance on the matter."

He referenced a event at the Polo Club in GRA, Port Harcourt, where Okocha publicly welcomed the lawmakers into the APC and declared them new members. Gbara questioned Okocha's subsequent claim that the lawmakers were being wooed to join the APC, pointing out the inconsistency in his statements.

Gbara reiterated that the lawmakers are no longer recognized as members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, citing the clear legal position on the matter.

In his words;

"It's very funny to see Tony Okocha speaking from both sides of his mouth and he has failed to realize that the event at the Polo club in GRA, Port Harcourt was covered by National Television where he graciously received these Lawmakers into his party, APC and pronounced that they were new members of APC. I don't understand the point where he says now because they've lost the membership of PDP, they're trying to woo them, woo them in what instance? I don't understand what he's trying to say. What I will say categorically is that the Law is very clear on this Lawmakers and they know they no longer exist as Lawmakers in Rivers State House of Assembly"

WATCH VIDEO BELOW START FROM 16:50

To Listen To What Tony Okocha Said, Start Watching From 16:10