Rivers APC Condemns Tony Okocha’s Lawsuit to Halt Council Fund Allocation

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has condemned a lawsuit filed by one of its chieftains, Tony Okocha, seeking to block the disbursement of funds to local government councils in the state.

In a statement issued by the party’s spokesperson, Darlington Nwauju, the APC criticized Okocha’s legal action, accusing him of undermining governance at the grassroots level and acting against the interests of the state.

Nwauju noted that Okocha and his caretaker committee had been removed from office by a court ruling but have continued to act contrary to the judgment.

“We are shocked at the continuous and blatant disregard for a valid court judgment that sacked Tony Okocha and his faction,” the statement read.

The APC further accused Okocha of using the lawsuit to frustrate the operations of local councils since they no longer have access to their statutory funds.

Nwauju expressed concern over Okocha’s motivations, stating:

“It is shameful that Okocha and his allies, despite a High Court ruling invalidating their appointment by the National Working Committee (NWC), are now seeking judgment from a coordinate court in Abuja to halt local government allocations.

This action not only undermines governance but also jeopardizes the livelihoods of thousands of council workers and others dependent on the local government system for survival.”

The condemnation follows a press conference over the weekend, where Okocha admitted filing the lawsuit, citing what he described as flaws in the allocation process.

In its statement, the APC emphasized the importance of local government operations, saying:
“We have carefully observed recent developments concerning the local government system in Rivers State. Standing by idly would further erode the democratic values we hold dear.”

The party reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local governance and urged all stakeholders to respect the rule of law for the sake of the people’s well-being.