The All Progressives Congress (APC) stated on Thursday that President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State has resolved 90% of the political crisis there and helped prevent chaos.
Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC caretaker committee in Rivers, made the remarks at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja after a thank-you visit to the National Working Committee led by Abdullahi Ganduje. Okocha referred to the state of emergency as “a necessary evil” and emphasized that the suspension of Governor Sim Fubara was crucial.
Rivers State has been plagued by political instability for nearly two years, as former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor, Fubara, have clashed over control of the state, leading to a governance deadlock. In response, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on March 18, calling for peace and suspending Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state assembly for six months. Retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas was appointed as the new administrator.
Okocha explained, “The state of emergency declaration saved Rivers State from anarchy. We were hiding in fear, unable to move freely, with non-state actors carrying guns and threatening lawlessness. President Tinubu’s decision was necessary—like an operation needed to treat a hernia. Though painful, without it, there would be no peace.”
He also cleared Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of any involvement in the crisis, explaining that Wike’s political structure was central to the assembly’s composition, but he was not directly responsible for the current situation.
Okocha further criticized Governor Fubara as a weak political figure, explaining that it was difficult for those with political investments to let such a structure collapse. He also pointed out that the governor’s sense of power, symbolized by his red pen, led to a lack of cooperation, and contributed to the crisis.
Okocha expressed hope that the lawsuit filed by the PDP Governors would help clarify the situation and set a new legal precedent. He pointed out that while some are questioning the legality of the governor’s suspension, the actions are now in the hands of the Supreme Court. He also questioned why groups like the Nigerian Bar Association remained silent when the state assembly complex was attacked, but have now spoken out against the suspension. Okocha called for the court to determine the outcome of President Tinubu’s actions.