Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), has responded to Tony Okocha’s assertion that the 27 troubled Rivers lawmakers did not defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a recent interview in Abuja, Okocha mentioned that he was attempting to bring the lawmakers into his political structure. He claimed, “I need to make this clear to everyone. Much as I want to have them in my fold, none of them has agreed to join us. I am the one that should know if they did. But clearly, they have not. What the lawmakers did was a political gimmick.”
In his reaction, Eze expressed disbelief at Okocha’s comments, given the extensive evidence supporting the lawmakers’ defection from the PDP to the APC. He stated, “It’s no surprise that Okocha would deny this, despite the clear proof in the media. His attempt to dismiss their defection as a political gimmick reveals the serious issues within our political landscape.”
Eze criticized Okocha for his past actions, stating, “This is the same Tony Okocha who boasted about manipulating elections and writing results for officials. It’s shocking that he continues to walk freely in Port Harcourt despite these admissions.”
He also pointed out that a court had recently ruled against Okocha and his team, prohibiting them from claiming leadership of the Rivers APC. “Yet they continue to issue press statements as if nothing happened,” Eze noted, highlighting the level of impunity in politics.
Eze condemned both Okocha and Chibuike Ikenga for speaking on behalf of the Rivers APC without authorization, calling it morally corrupt. “It’s disheartening to see them continue to act as if they hold legitimate positions after being ousted,” he said.
He expressed concern over the disregard for laws and court rulings in Nigerian politics, stating, “If our society were serious, individuals like Okocha and Ikenga would be held accountable for their actions.”
Eze concluded by lamenting the state of political morality in Rivers, emphasizing that the current situation undermines respect for the law and the possibility of progress in the country.
