By Emeka Amaefula
AM NOT SURE RIVERS STATE GOV. SIMINALAYI FUBARA WILL OBEY SUPREME COURT—APC RIVERS STATE CHAIRMAN TONY OKOCHA
As Rivers state political class wait with suspended breath the incoming Supreme Court Judgement on the several litigations surrounding the status of 27 members of Rivers state House of Assembly a factional set led by Rt. Honourable Martins Chike Amaewhule as Speaker, there are every indication that the outcome of the yet to be delivered judgment may be contested by some of the parties. All Progressives Congress APC Rivers state chapter Chairman Chief Tony Okocha on Thursday 2nd of January, 2025 in a Press conference held at his Country Home at Port Harcourt told journalist that the Rivers state Governor Siminalayi Fubara is on a journey of self-destruction as he said “In 2024 Rivers state ran Government without a Budget because he was asked by various Courts to go and represent the 2024 budget. Those 3-member in the House of assembly never made any law. Illegality is illegality.It’s crass infantilism taht Governor Siminalayi Fubara is claiming that he has done 4-years now waiting for the 2027 election. Rivers state is too big for neophytes to take over and rule. They don’t have the capacity and maybe play God. It will be a far cry for them to win in 2027.”
For Chief Tony Okocha, the 27 Lawmakers led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule according to the Court of Appeal Judgement are still members of the Rivers state House of assembly until Supreme Court of Nigeria gives a counter judgement if any.
Speaking further he said “For 11-months Martins Amaewhule led 27 lawmakers have not been paid their salaries and allowances and allocation of Votes of operational funds. I am not sure that Sim will obey the judgment of the Supreme Court that is currently on trial. Celestine Omehia went to the Supreme Court asking it to reverse itself after he had been removed as Governor on October 25th 2007.”
The APC chieftain insisted that the 2025 budget presentation to the 3-member House of Assembly which he said Court of Appeal described as Committee of friends cannot stand as he said “The Governor in the past has been Director of Finance DFA, Government House, Treasurer in the Ministry of Finance and Accountant General. I was Chief of Staff and I have witnessed 3-Budgets presentations as it is established that it is legal for a Government to have yearly rituals of Budget presentations. Before that a responsible Government organises Luncheon for the -arms of Government comprising Legislature, and Executives and friends of the Government.”
Chief Tony Okocha spoke extensively on the 27 Lawmakers led by Martins Amaewhule not being members of APC that he is the State Chairman “The reason Rivers state House of Assembly was burnt was because it was said to be used to impeach the Governor. The 27 Assembly members, none of them registered as APC members in the wards. I lost it. I did all that I could to bring them to APC but they still remain with PDP.”
The entire political class in Rivers state currently look on to the conclusion of all litigations now before several court judicial divisions especially that of the Apex Court that will give judgement on the 2024 Budget presentation and status of the 27 Lawmakers who are alleged to have defected to APC whether their seats are vacant or not.
——Emeka Amaefula—-+234(0)8111813069—–
