The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has firmly stated that the embattled governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara—currently under suspension—cannot simply join the APC without adhering to the laid-down rules and procedures of the party.
Chief Okocha made this assertion during a live radio programme aired in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, which was closely monitored by political observers and party faithful.
Addressing questions regarding the possibility of Governor Fubara defecting to the APC amid the political turmoil rocking the state, Okocha clarified that no individual, regardless of their status, can bypass the foundational processes that govern party membership.
“Like every other Nigerian, he is free under the law to join any political party of his choice. That is his constitutional right,” Okocha noted. “However, this liberty is not a license to breach the structure and order of the party. Anyone wishing to become a member of the APC—whether it is the suspended governor or any other citizen—must enter through the front door, not sneak in through the window.”
The APC chairman emphasized that joining the party must begin at the grassroots level. “Politics, they say, is local. Nobody becomes a member of our party by merely approaching the national office. Your membership begins at the ward level. It is from there that your name is transmitted upward through the ranks of the party. That is the recognized and accepted process.”
He further explained that the responsibility of welcoming new members lies with party officials at the local level, not with the national secretariat or top-ranking figures. According to him, respect for party structure and procedure is vital in maintaining internal discipline and cohesion.
Reflecting on the party’s past experiences, Okocha issued a stern warning that the APC would not tolerate opportunists or individuals who do not align with its core values. “We don’t want people who do not have the interest of the party at heart. We went through a lot in the lead-up to the 2023 general elections, and we are determined not to repeat those mistakes as we approach 2027.”
He reaffirmed that the APC is open to receiving new members, but only through transparent and standard procedures that safeguard the integrity of the party.
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