Augustine Wokocha, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Rivers State, has publicly rejected calls for former governor Nyesom Wike to switch sides and lead the opposition party in the state. This comes in response to Tony Okocha, the former Chief of Staff in Rivers State Government House, suggesting at a news conference in Port Harcourt that Wike should join and lead the APC amid rumors of a potential defection from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Wokocha, who previously served as the Commissioner for Power and Coordinator of the disbanded Tinubu/Shettima Grassroot Independent Campaign Council in Rivers State, contests Wike’s suitability to lead the opposition party. Speaking to the press in Port Harcourt on Friday, Wokocha challenged Okocha’s claim that Wike single-handedly secured the state for Bola Tinubu in the previous general election and therefore deserves recognition.
Wokocha argues that attributing the victory solely to Wike is misplaced, stating, “The victory of Bola Tinubu in the last election in Rivers State cannot be attributed to one individual. It is a result of the collective support from over 200,000 voters in Rivers who backed the man who is our President today.” He further questions Wike’s direct involvement, stating, “I cannot recall any instance where he publicly endorsed our party’s candidate or directed his followers to vote for him. So I do not understand what Okocha means by Wike immensely contributing to Tinubu’s victory.” Wokocha believes it is important to acknowledge the people of Rivers and those who campaigned to convince voters that Tinubu was the superior candidate.
While Wokocha does not oppose Wike joining the APC, he emphasizes that the party is not in need of a leader. He states, “In all honesty, politics is better with more participants. So Wike joining the APC is a positive development.” However, he disagrees with the idea of Wike assuming control of the party, considering it an aberration. He reminds listeners of Wike’s past criticism of the APC, saying, “This is the same Wike who described the APC as cancer stage four and the PDP as malaria. But if he now believes that our cancer is better than the malaria he claims to be suffering from, then he is welcome.”
Wokocha asserts that it would be a disservice to the people of Rivers State if Wike were to lead the APC there. He believes that the party already has capable leadership, including Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and himself. While expressing appreciation for the work done by President Bola Tinubu, Wokocha firmly insists, “No one should take credit that does not belong to them or make false claims. We will not allow our people to be misled in such a manner.”
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