KEY POINTS

• Rivers APC says Nwaeke’s confession proves Fubara masterminded the Assembly bombing.
• Okocha says taxpayers’ money was wasted to fund political violence.
• APC urges urgent investigation by security agencies into the Assembly attack.

Tony Okocha, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, responded to claims by ex-Head of Service, George Nwaeke. Okocha stated that Nwaeke’s revelation confirms the APC’s consistent claim that Governor Siminalayi Fubara planned the Assembly bombing.

Nwaeke alleged on live television that Governor Fubara and Chief of Staff Edison Ehie orchestrated the Assembly firebombing incident. He claimed the governor handed him a money bag, directing him to destroy the Assembly Complex along Moscow Road. Okocha said the Rivers APC had long suspected Fubara’s involvement and felt vindicated by the former official’s public testimony.

The APC leader stressed that Nwaeke’s position as the third-ranking government official gave weight to his explosive allegations. He argued that the confession proved Fubara was behind the political chaos and justified the President’s emergency intervention in Rivers.

Fubara’s camp, through Edison Ehie, quickly denied the claims, saying Nwaeke was mentally unfit when he made the statement. Ehie claimed the former Head of Service had lost credibility and should not be taken seriously by the public or media. Okocha dismissed that rebuttal, insisting the confession reflected reality and not a fabricated tale by a bitter ex-official.

Okocha describes the Assembly attack as a waste of public funds and political sabotage

According to Okocha, taxpayers’ money was spent recklessly to fund violence amid serious national economic hardship. He said the Supreme Court, in a February 28 ruling, even described Fubara as a “dictator” in a unanimous judgment.

Punch stated that the APC chairman argued that only someone who ruled like a tyrant could resort to such tactics in a political dispute. He emphasized that Nwaeke’s account was not hearsay but firsthand knowledge, given his proximity to power at the time.

Okocha stressed that public funds should never be used to undermine democratic institutions or promote politically motivated destruction. He described the attack on the Assembly as a national disgrace that should concern every law-abiding citizen of Nigeria.

According to him, this incident marked a dark chapter in Rivers’ politics and proved the dangers of unchecked executive power. Okocha said the APC would not remain silent while democracy in the state faced such grave internal threats.

APC urges investigation into Rivers Assembly bombing claim and pledges vigilance

Okocha urged security agencies to investigate Nwaeke’s claims and hold those responsible for the Assembly bombing accountable under law. He said the APC believed that no individual should escape justice, no matter their political position or influence in government.

Okocha also warned that the public attacks against Nwaeke were intended to intimidate him and silence future whistleblowers in government.

He emphasized that the APC would act as watchdogs and monitor developments until truth and justice fully prevail in the matter.