Tony Okocha Opens Up About Hiding For Safety Amid Rivers State Crisis

Why Tony Okocha Was Hiding: A Look Into the Rivers State Crisis

Let me tell you something real. Tony Okocha, the chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recently opened up about the harrowing days he spent in hiding. Why? Well, it wasn’t because he fancied a quiet vacation—it was because his life was at risk. Things got so bad in Rivers State that Okocha had to keep a low profile until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stepped in and declared a state of emergency. This move, according to Okocha, was what saved the state from spiraling into total chaos.

Emergency Declaration: A Turning Point for Rivers State

On Thursday, at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, Okocha addressed reporters and explained how dire the situation had become. “People like us couldn’t even leave certain places,” he said, “because we were hiding for fear of the unknown.” He painted a vivid picture of non-state actors roaming around with guns, making threats that sent shockwaves through the community. These weren’t just idle threats; they were actions that could’ve plunged Rivers State into anarchy if not addressed quickly.

“We all knew there was a looming problem before the President intervened,” Okocha emphasized. Without Tinubu’s swift action, the consequences could’ve been catastrophic—not just for Rivers State but for the entire nation.

Read also:

David Mccallums Net Worth 2024 The Journey Of A Legendary Actor

Why Tinubu’s Decision Was Crucial

Now, here’s the kicker: had the situation worsened before the President’s intervention, critics would’ve been lining up to blast Tinubu for failing to act. But let’s be honest, Rivers State isn’t just any state. It’s one of the pillars holding up this country, economically speaking. So, imagine the backlash if things had gone south and Tinubu had done nothing. Those same people shouting now about the declaration would’ve been the first to accuse him of negligence.

Okocha put it plainly: “Some of these people shouting that the President did wrong when he stepped in would have also said, ‘You had this decision at your fingertips and did nothing.’” The reality is, Tinubu acted decisively, and that’s exactly what leadership looks like.

Support for Tinubu and the Emergency Rule

Okocha didn’t mince words when expressing his support for President Tinubu. He described the emergency rule as a “necessary evil” aimed at restoring peace and stability to Rivers State. And guess what? It’s working. Since the declaration, security and intelligence efforts have been significantly beefed up. Opposition figures like Okocha can now move around freely without fearing for their lives. That’s progress, folks.

He highlighted the positive changes: “Security and intelligence have been beefed up in Rivers since the state of emergency was declared. With the emergency declared, people like us who are in the opposition in the state can now move around.” Sounds like a win-win, doesn’t it?

Behind the Scenes: Wike’s Role in Restoring Peace

But here’s another twist in the tale. Despite the ongoing political tensions, former Governor Nyesom Wike has been working quietly behind the scenes to bridge the gap between the state government and Governor Fubara. Kudos to him for trying to mend fences. However, Okocha pointed out that self-serving politicians in the state had misled Governor Fubara, exacerbating the crisis.

Okocha laid it all out: “The governor jettisoned 27 lawmakers and was dealing with only three lawmakers while withholding the finances of the State Assembly, which was abnormal. It was a misnomer, unheard of in a democracy, to have 12.5 percent of legislators in place to run the government.” That’s right—12.5 percent! How does that even happen in a functioning democracy?

Read also:

Elaine Welteroths Net Worth 2024 The Journey Of A Powerhouse Journalist

He also slammed Fubara for allegedly tearing down the State Assembly complex under the guise of renovations without giving anyone a heads-up. That’s not just questionable; it’s an outright affront to democracy itself.

PDP Challenges Emergency Rule: A Legal Battle Worth Watching

Now, let’s talk about the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They’ve decided to challenge the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State at the Supreme Court. Okocha supports this move, saying it will enrich the country’s jurisprudence and bring clarity to the matter. It’s always good when legal challenges like this arise—they help clarify boundaries and set precedents for the future.

And while we’re on the topic of accountability, Okocha took a jab at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He urged them to speak up after what he described as their silence when the State Assembly complex was allegedly demolished. Silence isn’t always golden, especially when it comes to protecting democracy.

So, there you have it—a deeper dive into the complexities of the Rivers State crisis and how President Tinubu’s intervention has started turning things around. Only time will tell how this unfolds, but one thing’s for sure: the people of Rivers State deserve peace, stability, and good governance. Let’s hope everyone involved keeps that in mind moving forward.