The political landscape of Rivers State, Nigeria, is embroiled in a contentious dispute between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, with accusations of judicial manipulation and political interference taking center stage. Chief Tony Okocha, the embattled Chairman of the Rivers State APC, has publicly accused Governor Fubara of orchestrating a campaign of division and control within the APC, leveraging his influence to sway judicial decisions in his favor. This accusation stems from a recent High Court ruling that nullified the APC’s recent congresses in the state, a judgment Okocha believes was directly influenced by the governor. He alleges that the Rivers State judiciary operates as a “supermarket” for the governor, where favorable rulings can be procured, and cases are assigned based on his whims, effectively undermining the principles of justice and fairness.
Okocha’s claims paint a picture of a politically motivated assault on the APC, with the governor allegedly exploiting the judicial system to destabilize the opposition party. He contends that Fubara’s actions go beyond mere political maneuvering, amounting to a calculated effort to manipulate the legal process and exert undue control over the political landscape of Rivers State. This alleged manipulation extends to the assignment of cases, with Okocha suggesting that the governor handpicks judges to preside over cases involving the APC, ensuring outcomes aligned with his political objectives. This portrayal of the judiciary as a tool of political expediency raises serious concerns about the integrity of the legal system in Rivers State and its ability to function independently of political influence.
Responding to these accusations, Governor Fubara’s Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, vehemently denied Okocha’s claims, urging him to verify his information before making such serious allegations. Omatsogunwa dismissed the accusations as baseless and characterized them as an attempt to inject ethnic sentiments into legal matters. He argued that it is inappropriate to attribute unfavorable court rulings to external influences, specifically the governor’s alleged interference. Omatsogunwa emphasized the separation of powers, highlighting that Governor Fubara leads the executive branch and has no control over the judiciary. He urged the APC to address its internal conflicts without implicating the governor, portraying Fubara as preoccupied with pressing state matters, including project commissioning and initiations, and having no time for what he termed Okocha’s “imaginings.”
Omatsogunwa’s response frames the situation as a consequence of the APC’s internal struggles, suggesting that their inability to manage their own affairs is the root cause of their legal setbacks. He implies that Okocha’s accusations are a diversionary tactic, an attempt to shift blame away from the APC’s internal disarray and onto the governor. This counter-narrative seeks to portray the governor as a diligent public servant focused on the development of Rivers State, while the APC is depicted as a disorganized entity resorting to unfounded accusations to deflect attention from its internal woes.
Adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing political drama, Okocha made the startling claim that Governor Fubara is no longer a registered member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any political party, questioning the governor’s political standing. He asserted that if an election were held, Fubara would lack a platform to contest, as the PDP would not sponsor him. This allegation further fuels the political tension, casting doubt on the governor’s political legitimacy and raising questions about his future political ambitions. Okocha’s assertion aims to undermine Fubara’s political footing, portraying him as lacking a valid political platform and therefore lacking the authority to interfere in the APC’s affairs.
The clash between Okocha and Fubara underscores the deep-seated political divisions within Rivers State and highlights the ongoing power struggle between the ruling PDP and the opposition APC. The accusations of judicial manipulation and political interference raise serious questions about the fairness and impartiality of the judicial process and the potential abuse of power for political gain. This dispute also reveals the internal struggles within the APC, with Okocha’s leadership facing challenges and accusations of mismanagement. The differing narratives presented by both sides paint a complex picture of the political landscape in Rivers State, one marked by accusations, denials, and underlying tensions that continue to shape the political discourse in the region. The situation calls for a thorough investigation into the allegations to ensure the integrity of the judicial system and the fairness of the political process in Rivers State.
