The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against falling for what they describe as a ploy by some former loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, urging him not to buy into their recent show of support, News About Nigeria reports.
This statement comes in response to a press conference led by a former Minister of Transportation and leader of the Rivers chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abiye Sekibo, on Thursday.
Sekibo, along with former PDP National Chairman Uche Secondus and other party chieftains, pledged support for President Tinubu and his policies in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The delegation also expressed dissatisfaction with the political developments in the state, calling on the President to caution ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a press conference held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Friday, Chairman of Rivers APC, Tony Okocha, said he was sceptical about the sudden change of allegiance by Sekibo and Secondus, who had previously made derogatory remarks about the president during the 2023 presidential election campaign.
Okocha warned Tinubu not to trust these people, whom he described as “unrepentant PDP praise singers”.
Okocha accused Sekibo and Secondus of being “clever by half”, alleging that their loyalty to Atiku Abubakar remains unwavering despite their recent show of support for President Tinubu.
He pointed out that their past actions, including funding hate speeches against Tinubu, indicate their true allegiance to the opposition party.
“The undeniable fact remains that all those who lined up at that table are still ardent believers of Atiku Abubakar and lucidly introduced themselves as unrepentant leaders of Atiku’s 2023 Presidential Campaign in Rivers State,” Okocha stated.
He further cautioned Tinubu against welcoming individuals who attempt to gain his favour through insincere means, comparing them to unwanted guests trying to enter a house through the window when the door is open.
“Nigerians know the scenarios that played out uniquely in five PDP-controlled states in the build-up to the 2023 presidential election and the aftermaths,” Okocha added.
