Politics

Rivers Crises: APC Chairman Accuses Fubara Of Delay in implementing 8-point agenda

Chief Tony Okocha, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers State, has accused Governor Siminialayi Fubara of delaying the implementation of the eight-point resolution toward ending political crisis in the state.

Political tension enveloped the state in October 2023 when 27 lawmakers said to be loyal to Fubara’s predecessor, Nyesom Wike, threatened to impeach the Governor.

The crisis reached a crescendo with the burning of the House of Assembly Complex in Port Harcourt on October 30.

Worried by the development, President Bola Tinubu stepped in and negotiated a peace agreement to restore peace.

The APC boss, while reacting to the peace deal in Port Harcourt on Sunday, said that the delay in implementing the agreement was not good for political peace in Rivers State.

Okocha who represents Rivers in the Governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), said that the continued delay was a disrespect to the President and other political actors.

Delving into the history of the crisis, Okocha said the political quarrel began when the House of Assembly was burnt, declaring that it was a deliberate attempt by certain persons at high quarters to make it impossible for lawmakers to sit.

“When the matter reached a crescendo and was almost turning into an emergency, several calls were put across to President Tinubu to wade in.

“The President subsequently invited all the stakeholders from both sides and we had a very decent meeting devoid of intimidation, harassment, duress or undue advantage given to anyone.

“During the meeting, Tinubu emphasised the importance of upholding democracy and opted for a diplomatic approach.

“Following the discussions, the President presented an eight-point proclamation document and handed it over to former Rivers Governor Peter Odili.

“At every point Odili read each point from the document, Tinubu interjected and asked if we were okay, and everybody echoed ‘yes’.

“After all parties agreed to the resolution, Gov. Fubara, his deputy, Wike, myself, PDP chairman in Rivers, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu and Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, all signed the document,” he recalled.

The APC chieftain said that after signing the document, Fubara requested protection for his supporters against victimisation, which the President assured.

He said it was regrettable that the governor had been influenced by a purported elders’ forum to deviate from the agreement he willingly signed before President Tinubu.

Okocha noted that the governor occasionally yielded and, at other times, presented himself as lacking control over both himself and his administration.

“The governor has implemented six resolutions, including withdrawing all cases before the courts, freeing the legislature, paying allowances due to lawmakers, and recognising Amaewhule as Speaker.

“But, he has refused to implement two crucial agreements – the re-presentation of the state budget before the 27 lawmakers and the conduct of local government elections,” he said.

Okocha recalled that the president informed Fubara that no other titles outside those recognised by the constitution would be used for the leadership of local governments.

“Specifically, the President kicked against caretaker committees or sole administrators for local governments.

“So, Governor Fubara cannot, in his wildest imagination, continue to do as he pleases. He cannot continue to run the state without a budget,” Okocha explained.

Okocha stated that the local government chairmen’s tenure would end on June 10, with the state electoral commission required to conduct elections 60 days before the incumbents’ tenure expires.

He criticised Fubara’s governance style and highlighted the need for adherence to constitutional processes and agreements to ensure stability and progress.

The chairman threatened legal action to ensure compliance, emphasising the need for peaceful governance and adherence to the law.

He stated that the state was currently “sitting on a keg of gunpowder”.

“So, we will not stand aside and watch him violate the legal and constitutional agreement; we will not allow Fubara to disrespect the office of the president.

“Drafting a chairman or a sole administrator to oversee a local government is an aberration; only elected executives are recognised by law.

“Although, no time frame was given for implementing the resolution, the governor cannot run the state without a budget,” he explained.

Okocha claimed that Fubara, who was “an unexpected candidate in the PDP primaries, rode to power on Wike’s support”.

“The governor was not a politician but a career civil servant, but Wike sat on the noses of politicians and threw up Fubara who lacked political background.

“Nobody gives power for nothing without negotiating for something; Fubara has reneged on agreements reached in the bedroom,” he said.

Reacting, Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr Joe Johnson, advised Okocha to focus on his duties at NDDC instead of misleading the public.

He questioned why the APC chieftain was fixated on the two resolutions, especially since the governor had already acted on six out of the eight resolutions agreed upon in December.

“The governor has recalled, and redeployed the commissioners who resigned, back to their positions – that is even more important.

“Gov. Fubara has also paid all the allowances owed to the 27 assembly members.

“If the governor refused to release funds to the lawmakers but went ahead to represent a budget to them, which one, in Okocha’s priority, will be better?”, he asked.

Johnson pointed out that Fubara had implemented over 80 per cent of the agreement, though President Tinubu did not specify a timeline for its fulfilment.

“The resolutions were agreed upon in December and, by February, Governor Fubara had implemented six of the eight proclamations.

“The governor is acting on the resolutions step-by-step. Okocha should stop chasing shadows,” he said.

Politics

Jandor meets Sanwo-Olu, praises his maturity during election

The 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Gubernatorial Candidate for Lagos, Dr Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, on Tuesday visited the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Adediran met with the governor behind closed doors but spoke with journalists after the meeting.

He congratulated the governor on his re-election and commended him for the warm reception.

I have gone to my local government to do that. We had that on Friday.

The next thing was to pay the number one citizen of the state an official visit to inform him that we have returned to the party.

I am back to be with my family. We will continue to consolidate on our collective strength.

We all knew what happened during the last election. It was because the house was divided. Now, we are together and we are back’, he said.

He described his reception by Sanwo-Olu as warm.

‘The reception was fantastic. Mr Governor is actually a gentleman.

‘I commend your composure throughout the campaign.

‘In a season marked by intense political tension, your calmness stood out, and, in my view, it played a significant role in your winning’, he said.

The gubernatorial candidate said that the visit was not just a political courtesy, but a demonstration of maturity and the need to foster unity beyond party lines.

‘Lagos deserves a political climate where leaders can engage constructively regardless of party affiliation.

‘I believe this gesture reflects the kind of politics we should be practising, one that prioritises the development of our state above personal or partisan interests’, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Adediran was a member of the APC before he left the party to join PDP.

He is the Convener of Lagos4Lagos Movement, a group within the APC that pushed for reforms and internal democracy.

Politics

APC mocks Adeleke over collapsed Ido-Osun Road

Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has openly mocked Governor Ademola Adeleke over the collapse of a newly constructed road in the Aduramigba area of Ido-Osun.

The road was reportedly washed away less than 24 hours after its completion.

In a statement released on Sunday, APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi claimed the incident confirmed the party’s longstanding warnings about the alleged incapacity of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP led administration to handle infrastructure development in the state.

“Osun State is currently undergoing one of its most precarious moments in history. The state’s developmental progress has suffered tremendously under the minimalist and ineffective administration of Governor Adeleke for over two years now,” Olabisi stated.

The APC criticised the Adeleke-led government for widespread incompetence and mismanagement across various sectors, alleging that the administration lacked both sincerity and technical capacity.

“The people of Osun are witnessing the fallout of governance built on propaganda and misdirected priorities. One cannot give what he does not have,” he added

Olabisi further alleged that the governor’s actions in office had created hardship for residents, citing what he described as repeated governance blunders since Adeleke assumed office in 2022.

He said, “If Governor Adeleke isn’t undermining the judiciary, he’s disrespecting traditional institutions. The courts are now reversing some of these poorly handled decisions.”

The APC labelled the Aduramigba road project a clear example of the governor’s substandard development style.

According to the party, “the road which stretches from the Trade Fair Complex through Adeleke Estate to Ido-Osun Junction was tarred on Wednesday, 14 May 2025, but collapsed after heavy rainfall on Thursday, 15 May 2025.”

Residents of the community reportedly staged a protest following the incident, expressing frustration over the quality of the work and its rapid deterioration just one day after completion.

“The project was executed using laterite instead of the approved stone base, which explains why it couldn’t withstand a single day of rain. It is disheartening that such critical infrastructure is subjected to these substandard practices,” Olabisi said.

The APC called on the state government to disclose the identity of the contractor responsible and demanded an investigation into the matter. It also urged the reconstruction of the road using standard engineering materials and procedures.

The party accused the administration of awarding contracts to individuals and firms lacking the required technical qualifications.

“We have been proven right that contracts are being given to unqualified individuals, including fertiliser dealers who have no experience in road construction,” Olabisi claimed.

He warned residents to exercise caution around government-led infrastructure projects, stressing that compromised construction standards could endanger lives and property.

“Osun residents must be vigilant and demand accountability. The consequences of these substandard projects are far too dangerous to ignore,” the APC added.

After the protest, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, ordered a comprehensive review of a 4.76-kilometre road project in Aduramigba community, Ido-Osun, following protests by residents over alleged substandard construction work.

Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in a statement on Saturday confirmed that officials from the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Works, and the O-RAMP Project had been deployed to the area.

Politics

Oborevwori is APC candidate in Delta – Joel-Onowakpo

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State has declared that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is the APC candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election in the state.

The LG party leaders also passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu, Oborevwori and Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, representing Delta South Senatorial District, for providing purposeful and visionary leadership.

The Isoko South APC leaders spoke at meeting following the mass defection of former members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in the local government area.

The meeting, hosted at the country home of Joel-Onowakpo, had in attendance leaders from the eleven wards of the local government area.

Joel-Onowakpo, alongside other key leaders emphasized the need for unity of purpose to ensure the party’s success in the 2027 elections.

The senator unequivocally stated that the leader of the APC in Delta state is Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

He explained that the alignment follows directives from the Presidency and the national leadership of the party.

“The Delta State governorship is not vacant. We have an administration that is focused on delivering the dividends of democracy, and we must give them the needed support to complete their mandate,” he said.

Joel-Onowakpo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Local Content, stressed that there is no distinction between old and new members in the party, adding that everyone is APC.

He advised against any actions that might cause division within party ranks, just as he charged all party organs within the local government, especially ward chairmen, to ensure a seamless registration process for new members, warning against any practices that might undermine party unity.

The highlight of the meeting was the formal motion for a vote of confidence – moved by the member representing Isoko South Constituency II, Ferguson Onwo and seconded by Dr Sylvester Onoyona, APC candidate for House of Representatives, Isoko North and South Constituency in the 2023 general elections – in support of President Bola Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas.