Rivers APC Chairman Accuses Governor Fubara of Fueling Division Over Budget Presentation

Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has accused Governor Sim Fubara of exacerbating political division in the state by presenting the 2025 budget to a faction of the State House of Assembly.

Okocha criticized Fubara’s decision to deliver the N1.1 trillion budget to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the House of Assembly in December, which he described as a blatant disregard for legal processes. The governor’s action followed the presentation of a letter by Oko-Jumbo’s group, which led to the budget presentation at their plenary.

Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Okocha expressed disappointment with the governor’s approach. He stated, “I expected the governor to use the new year to promote peace, but instead, he continues to fuel the flames of division.” Okocha went on to emphasize that, with 30 functional members in the state’s legislature, it was unjustifiable to present the budget in what he deemed an “illegitimate” setting, referring to the court’s previous rulings on similar matters.

Okocha, who served as Chief of Staff between 2012 and 2015, called it “anathema” that a state as important as Rivers would have its budget presented in such an unlawful manner. He warned that such actions could lead to a severe political crisis in the state if not addressed.

He also reiterated the importance of upholding legal processes in the governance of the state, which he argued would prevent unnecessary tensions.