The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned Nigerians against participating in the proposed protest against President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing the protest as the work of failed politicians.
Chief Tony Okocha, the Caretaker Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, made this statement on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Okocha stated, “As a party in Rivers State and patriotic citizens of Nigeria, we want to caution against the planned protest by individuals I refer to as failed politicians. They cannot destroy the APC or the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
We should support the president, who is determined to move Nigeria forward. This process will take time, but it is in place.
“We should not compare Nigeria to countries like Kenya or Sudan. The circumstances and indices are different, and our population cannot be compared to those countries.
Encouraging protests will only lead to chaos. We advise Nigerians not to join or support what I call failed politicians who believe they can undermine the APC or the president.
“Let’s be realistic. What is the reason for the planned protest? The reason, as I understand, is the prevailing hunger in the land. Is President Tinubu responsible for the hunger? Why are we not protesting against our governors? During my tenure as Chief of Staff in Rivers State, we received allocations up to N6.6 billion monthly.
Today, Rivers State receives over N28 billion from federal allocation. What happened? The removal of fuel subsidies has introduced more funds into the system, and the President hasn’t pocketed this money. He is distributing it. When these funds are given to the states, should the President also administer their use? Those behind this protest are failed politicians who gained power through the backdoor. They should wait for 2027 and stay away from the APC if they can.
“The intention and motive behind the protest are sinister, and those involved know themselves. The Presidential spokesperson has discussed this issue, and every day I watch on television that these grievances come from patriotic Nigerians.
What will be the outcome? Would there be confrontation between the protesters and security agencies, or between the protesters and another group supporting the President? This cannot be the solution to our problems. A good soldier is one who wins a war with minimal damage, not one who loses all their men.
The situations in Kenya and Sudan are different, and their smaller sizes compared to Nigeria mean the consequences here would be much more devastating. No one knows who will be affected—it could be the leader of the protest.”
Regarding the APC’s activities in Rivers State, Okocha reported that the party is performing excellently, unlike in the past when it resembled a social club.
He affirmed the state APC’s full support for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and emphasized that the APC remains inclusive.
He also mentioned that former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has warned the party not to invite him to any meetings. “The APC in Rivers State is doing excellently. We revived the party from near dissolution, where it was almost a social club.
Our office at 268B Aba Expressway in Port Harcourt is now bustling with activity, with former members and newcomers joining in droves. We have convened meetings with stakeholders at various levels, including national stakeholders, past and present senators, former governors, serving House of Representatives members, and State House of Assembly officials.
We proudly serve as a needed opposition in Rivers State, acting as a watchdog against a non-functional government, which has garnered support from both politicians and non-politicians,” he said.
On the topic of Amaechi, Okocha said, “I was Chief of Staff, but I cannot answer for him. At some point, he enrolled in law school, and we lost communication. During the Presidential primary election, he also disappeared from the scene.
Whether he remains a party member, I do not know. He has sent messages to the party’s secretary, warning not to invite him to any party meetings. Should we go to his house and confront him?”
