Chief Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of failing to respect court rulings, raising concerns about the state of the judiciary in Nigeria.

During a press conference held in Port Harcourt, Okocha criticized a recent decision by a State High Court regarding the chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he claimed was inappropriate as the matter is still under consideration by the Court of Appeal. He stated, “The governor does not respect laws. He respects laws when it suits him.”

Okocha expressed frustration over the governor’s selective adherence to legal rulings, suggesting that such actions undermine the integrity of the judicial system. He remarked, “I don’t know that system; nobody has taught that system in Political Science,” emphasizing that laws should be sacrosanct.

In addition to his legal criticisms, Okocha lamented the deteriorating condition of Port Harcourt, describing it as having transitioned from a “Garden City” to a “Garbage City.” He pointed to the lack of street lighting and poor sanitation as indications of ineffective governance, stating, “Port Harcourt has turned to a city of debris and the areas stink.”

In response to Okocha’s allegations, Warisenibo Joseph Johnson, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, dismissed the APC chairman’s claims. Johnson asserted that Okocha’s leadership has been invalidated by a court ruling that recognized Emeka Bekee as the legitimate chairman of the APC in Rivers State. He urged the public to disregard Okocha’s comments, describing them as irrelevant.

The ongoing tensions between the APC and the Rivers State government highlight significant challenges regarding governance and judicial respect, raising questions about political stability in the region.