Attempts by Okocha to block Rivers LG allocations tantamount to coup – APC

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has raised strong objections to efforts by Tony Okocha, a factional chairman within the party, to halt revenue allocation to the state’s 23 local governments.

The Rivers APC, led by Emeke Beke, expressed dismay at what it described as ongoing disrespect and defiance toward a valid court ruling that had removed Okocha and his seven-member caretaker committee from their positions.

In a statement on Sunday, Rivers APC spokesperson Darlington Nwauju stated that Okocha’s continued claims to party leadership directly undermine the court’s judgment.

Nwauju emphasized that the APC can no longer remain passive on political matters affecting the state’s citizens.

He further criticized Okocha’s court bid to suspend local government allocations, asserting that this action seeks to disrupt the livelihoods of countless Rivers residents who rely on the local government system.

Nwauju said, “It is shameful that Okocha and his friends who do not believe or respect the judgement of the High Court which invalidated their so-called appointment by NWC after more than nine months of litigation, have been openly boasting of getting judgement from a court of coordinate jurisdiction in Abuja, to stop allocations to local governments in Rivers State thereby frustrating thousands of Rivers people whose livelihood and survival is dependent on the local government system, especially council workers.”

The APC called on the judiciary to uphold its independence and avoid becoming a tool for politically motivated agendas.

The APC also confirmed that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, conducted local government elections in the state, acting in accordance with its mandate as an independent body.

“We do not believe that the judiciary should continue to allow itself to be manipulated by desperate politicians to the point of deposing affidavits in the name of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, whereas a competent court in Port Harcourt had taken a stand against the contraption Tony Okocha claims to represent (refer to Suit No. PHC/3592/CS/2023).

“We stand by the fact that Electoral bodies are expected to be independent/neutral and must have the spine to resist meddlesomeness from the courts.

“This we believe the RSIEC in Rivers State did by conducting local government elections in Rivers State on October 5th 2024.

“Section 87 of the 2010 Electoral Act bars courts from stopping INEC in carrying out its electoral duties. Section 60 (2) of the 2018 Rivers State Local Government Act draws strength from the Electoral Act.

“Attempting to arrest electoral processes that are ongoing or almost concluded is tantamount to coup on our democratic norms.

“Recall that in 2004 when President Olusegun Obasanjo ordered that funds belonging to Lagos state be confiscated on the grounds that new local government areas were created, the state government stood its ground and won the case.

“Again in 2005, the National Assembly made a law for monitoring local government funds in the country by appointing monitoring committees.

“States went to court, and the Supreme Court said the Federal Government has no power to monitor funds meant for local governments because they are democratically elected.

“The Supreme Court of Nigeria has also reinforced the powers and independence of local governments under our laws to receive funding unhindered based on Section 162(7) of the Constitution.

APC recalled that the Rivers State 8th Assembly, under the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, allegedly passed a bill, swiftly signed into law by Wike, aimed at preventing aggrieved parties from filing suits related to local government elections.

He added, “We are aware that funds belonging to local government councils in the state are no longer accessible to these greedy politicians.

“We know for sure that the flurry of litigations are purely for selfish reasons and not to deepen our democratic process.

“We suggest that these cannon fodders and later day apostles of due process join the clamour for the implementation of the report of Justice Muhammad Uwais Panel which recommended that members of electoral bodies in Nigeria be appointed through advertisement, and those shortlisted go through a body that would then recommend them to the House of Assembly.

“It is the way to go to ensure confidence in the electoral process by all political parties and not embarking on a civilian coup d’etat aimed at punishing innocent Rivers people.”