The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has declared its full support for former Governor Nyesom Wike as the new political leader of the state and an intermediary between the state and the central government. Tony Okocha, a former chief of staff to a former governor of the state, Rotimi Amaechi, who assumed leadership of the party in the state before the February 25 presidential election, disclosed this in an interview in Abuja.
Okocha revealed how his former principal, Amaechi, and party chieftain Magnus Abe worked against the APC during the February presidential election in the state. He stated that when Amaechi and Abe abandoned the party, leaving it in disarray, it was Wike who came to its rescue.
He expressed dismay over Abe’s claims of being “the first son of Tinubu in Rivers State” while challenging him to produce results from his polling units, ward, and local government to support his assertions. Okocha emphasized that Wike played a crucial role in ensuring the success of the APC in the state during the 2023 presidential election.
Okocha dismissed Abe’s media stunts as mere grandstanding for personal gain. He criticized Abe for leaving the APC in the middle of the election campaign and returning only after the victory to claim association with Tinubu. Okocha asserted that no politician in Rivers State can rival Wike and that he deserves to be recognized for his contributions.
He said: “The man (Tony Cole) was neither here nor there. And I told you that as PCC coordinator, he did nothing. No billboards, no banners, no posters, no jingles. In his campaigns, he never mentioned Tinubu. In his polling unit, he was there mobilising for Atiku in compliance and in keeping with the directive given to him by Amaechi.
“He was scared that if he identified with Tinubu, it will rub off on him in his own governorship quest. So for him, it was safe not ever to mention anything called Tinubu.
He explained that Wike’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) achieved significant victories in the state, securing seats in the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate, as well as winning the governorship. Okocha attributed these successes to Wike’s efforts and highlighted the importance of recognizing and inviting him to contribute to the APC’s future success.
Okocha also criticized Amaechi for refusing to work with Tinubu and sabotaging the APC’s chances in the state. He mentioned how Amaechi discredited the credibility of the 2023 presidential election and deployed Tony Cole, the APC governorship candidate, to work against Tinubu’s interests.
In conclusion, Okocha stated that the APC group had decided to confer the title of political leader on Wike as a reward for saving the party in a critical moment. He stressed that Wike’s contributions deserved recognition and that it was essential to invite him to play a leadership role within the APC.
