… Insists defection must follow proper procedures, no shortcuts allowed
… warns against using party as refuge for politicians with misconduct allegations
… Okocha dismisses speculation of reconciliation between APC and Fubara
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has rejected reports that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, warning that past misconduct will not be forgiven merely by joining the party.
Chairman of the APC Rivers State Caretaker Committee, Sir Tony Okocha spoke on Tuesday in Abuja, insisting that “if Fubara decides to join the APC, it has nothing to do with the state of emergency in Rivers State. His sins cannot be forgiven because he came to our party. You will jump into APC today and your sins are forgiven? That cannot be true. It won’t work that way.”
On the process for defection, Okocha emphasised that it must be done properly, saying, “He will enter the party through the door not the window. Not only him, there are procedures for defection to another party and if he claims to be a politician, he would know that all politics is local he would try and defect in his ward. From there it will come to us and my ward chairmen. I have asked; nobody brought any information about him entering APC.”
The APC also warned against using the party as a haven for politicians facing allegations, noting, “Then, it would have made APC a dumping ground for people who commit misdemeanour and believe that by and large we will come for reconciliation. No. It is not true.”
Okocha dismissed speculation about any reconciliation efforts between Fubara and the APC, stating, “I am not a prophet of doom. I can only say to you, with the benefit of knowledge, that I am not aware of any reconciliatory move. No reconciliation is going on; is it going to talk to Mr President? But Mr President has said go and make peace. No attempt at that. I am not aware of any reconciliatory moves by Fubara and his team.”
Regarding Fubara’s recent visit to President Bola Tinubu during the Sallah festivities, Okocha said, “How can I be worried that somebody visited my president? Don’t forget it was also the season of Sallah. Yesterday, I read somewhere that the former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Osoba, paid Sallah homage and I don’t know whether you also saw the President in the company of Chief EN Wike.”
The APC’s stance confirms its position that it will not serve as a refuge for politicians with misconduct issues and insists that all defections must follow the party’s established rules and procedures.
