Tony Okocha, the Caretaker Committee chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has rebuffed the declaration of support for President Bola Tinubu by loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Okocha asserted that these supporters cannot join the APC “through the backdoor.”
At a press conference in Abuja, Okocha criticized the approach of the “midnight pseudo lovers of the President,” stating that they should follow proper channels for joining a new party instead of resorting to browbeating and blackmail.
He emphasized that “no sane host tolerates a guest who attempts to enter his/her house through the window when the door is open.”
Okocha dismissed a document signed by two individuals purporting to represent Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 Campaign Directors in Rivers State, stating that it does not reflect the position of the people of the state.
He condemned the past actions of the supporters, alleging that they had engaged in hate speeches and denigration against Tinubu, spreading false narratives about his health and capabilities.
He said: “I am aware that despite our entreaties to the Honourable Minister of the FCT, to join us in APC with his winning magic wand, he still believes in PDP. If the Minister is PDP and the Governor is PDP, is it not apt to say that the bedevilling problems in Rivers State are intra-party?
“If the protesters feel concerned, shouldn’t it be honourable for them to look inwards to seek solutions to the problems than constituting themselves as snitches and fifth columnists and crisis merchants and so to justify their lucre, cast aspersions on the Abuja transformer and reformer, Honorable Minister E. N. Wike?
“Why do they want to further insult Mr. President and APC by telling him that he as leader of APC, appointed a kleptocrat into his cabinet as Minister?
“When have they repented and withdrawn their suits in court, challenging the Powers of Mr. President to mediate in the political crisis in Rivers State?” he queried.
