Rivers APC: Nullification of Congresses Won’t Stand – Okocha Vows

Rivers APC stalwart, Okocha, declares confidence that the court’s judgment nullifying the party’s congresses will be overturned. Legal battle continues.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, under the leadership of Tony Okocha, has warned that party members who resort to legal action to damage the party’s reputation will face expulsion.

During a media discussion in Port Harcourt on Sunday, Okocha revealed that the party is contesting the recent ruling by Justice Godwin Ogbondah, which nullified the state congresses conducted in November 2024.

On Friday, a Rivers State High Court under the jurisdiction of Justice Ogbondah declared the congresses invalid, stating they were conducted in defiance of an existing court order.

The lawsuit was filed by three dissatisfied APC members—Okwu Joebrown-Ndike, Peace Oganu, and Samuel Uchegbule. They claimed they were excluded from the congress process even though they had purchased forms.

Okocha mentioned, “On the day I was sworn in, I reached out to everyone with an offer of peace and collaboration. I invited them to join forces with me. However, if it becomes unfeasible and they cause embarrassment for the party, I’ll take action rather than stand by as Mr. President is disrespected.”

The APC is the political party of Mr. President, and for the National Chairman along with 18 members of the National Working Committee—which includes Deputy National Chairmen (South) and other key figures—to be here, anyone attempting to act in defiance by using legal or financial means to bring disrepute upon our national secretariat—I will not tolerate it. I am prepared to expel them from the party.

Please relay this message: I stated that I will expel them. If the kitchen is too hot, they should leave.

Okocha, the State Chairman of the APC in Rivers State supported by the National Working Committee, explained that the party’s national secretariat had announced the dates for congresses well ahead of time. This ensured an open process accessible to all members interested in running for various positions, including chairmanship.

He went on to clarify that he was the sole candidate for the state chairman position during the congress, attributing his uncontested candidacy to party members’ confidence in his leadership abilities.

Okocha stated, “Forms were sold for N3 million. I purchased mine at that price—please check the records. Chairmanship candidates paid N3 million, as did Deputy Chairs and down to Secretary level. I bought my form for N3 million and was prepared for the election. I campaigned extensively in case anyone chose to run against me.”

However, the people remarked, “You’ve done a great job. We see no need to alter a successful team.” I have no knowledge of any legal proceedings at all. I’m not clairvoyant enough to predict anything referred to as a court process. For what reason? Instigated by whom?

“Are you suggesting that our party leadership is so clueless, so inept, that they had to make a personal appearance? Let me explain how things typically work in our party: once elected, the chosen members of the executive committee are taken to Abuja for an inauguration by the National Working Committee in a conference hall. However, this situation was unique—it demonstrated solidarity.”

Okocha highlighted the party’s superiority, referencing Supreme Court rulings that warn against judicial interference in internal matters of political parties.

He disregarded the recent court decision, stating: “For us, that judgment is irrelevant. We will continue our actions as we are operating within legal boundaries. The party holds ultimate authority, and neither Ogbomanu nor anyone else assigned to this matter can dictate how we manage our political affairs in Rivers State.”

Okocha went on to accuse Governor Siminalayi Fubara of manipulating the judiciary to stir disarray within the APC in Rivers State. He condemned the governor for interfering in APC matters and encouraged him to concentrate on re-enrolling as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), asserting that Fubara is no longer acknowledged as a PDP member.

Okocha claimed that the governor has undermined the integrity of the state judiciary, referring to it as his “supermarket,” where cases are assigned to judges handpicked by him.

All his boasting and maneuvering around the APC could have been used to register himself. I expected him to leverage all his powers as governor, along with his influence, to rejoin the PDP. Currently, he isn’t affiliated with any political party.

I can assure you that if there is an election in the state, he won’t have a party to back him. The PDP, which might have sponsored him, will never put his name forward because he isn’t one of their members.

“He is currently attempting to divide and control, causing disruption within the entire judiciary,” Okocha concluded.