News
APC, PDP Clash Over Fubara, Akpabio’s Remarks At Wigwe’s Funeral
The All Progressives Congress(APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, on Tuesday engaged in a verbal exchange regarding the political banter between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The exchange occurred last Saturday at the funeral of the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe.
Editor’s Pick
- Tinubu Approves Appointment Of First FCT Head Of Service,
- Lagos Govt Unveils Plans To Enhance Real Estate Sector Through Specialized Training
- Sanwo-Olu Provides Assurance Of Further Developments For Lekki Deep Sea Port
Fubara subtly made a political statement while addressing the crowd gathered at the funeral of Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba, and son, Chizzy, in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.
Fubara, who is having a political crisis with his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike, in his remarks at the funeral, said, “This one has to do with our political class. What is all this trouble all about? You want to kill; you want to bury, what is it all about?”
Fubara, who narrowly escaped impeachment by pro-Wike lawmakers last year, recently stated that he was willing to resign as Rivers State Governor in order to bring peace to the state, seemingly alluding to the ongoing crisis between him and Wike.
However, taking to the podium at Wigwe’s funeral after Fubara, the Senate President took it upon himself to reply Fubara.
Akpabio said, “Your Excellency, Governor Fubara. What is the struggle all about? I will answer you.
“Your Excellency Governor Fubara, if there’s nothing in the struggle, don’t struggle.”
The PDP, in a statement released on Tuesday by its Publicity Secretary, Sydney Gbara, accused Akpabio of mocking Fubara and labeled the Senate President as an adversary of Rivers State.
Gbara claimed that Akpabio was envious and upset because Fubara’s comments received applause from the crowd.
Gbara alleged that Akpabio was jealous and angry because Fubara’s remarks drew applause from the audience.
Gbara stated, “It is now obvious that the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, is an enemy of Rivers people, as evident in his past and present actions and utterances on issues concerning the state.
“The applause from sympathisers and mourners at the burial drew the anger of Senator Akpabio, who mounted the rostrum afterwards to fight.
“After narrating a concocted fallacious story between him and a former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State over a power struggle, he attempted to ridicule Governor Fubara by asking him to resign if there was no need to struggle to kill for power.
“Akpaio had consistently shown disdain, an unimaginable level of disrespect and hatred for His Excellency, Siminialayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, through his utterances at public functions in the state.
“His actions against Rivers people have never been pleasant but embarrassing, as he seems to have taken advantage of the political impasse in the state to perfect his evil enterprise of igniting more crises to the detriment of the state.”
The State PDP spokesman recalled that at a church service recently in the Tai Local Government Area, of the state, “the same Akpabio had made a ridiculous remark regarding the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State.”
“Such a statement was a huge embarrassment which could provoke a crisis as the governor has not told anyone that he would not seek reelection in 2027.
“The PDP, therefore, uses this medium to advise Senator Akpabio to refrain from verbal attacks on the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, as the people of the state would no longer take for granted such comments capable of further dividing the people.
“The PDP also warns that if, however, Senator Akpabio decides to continue to choose the path of dishonour by making negative unprovoked utterances against Governor Fubara, he may not be welcomed into Rivers State again.”
The PDP appealed to President Bola Tinubu to warnAkpabio to desist from “consistent tantrums at the state governor,” which, it said, was “capable of provoking crisis in the state.”
On the contrary, the Rivers APC supported Akpabio and criticized Fubara for straying from the main focus of the event to discuss political matters.
Further Reading
- SERAP Sues Nigerian Senate Over ‘Unlawful’ Suspension Of Senator Ningi
- Tinubu Approves Appointment Of First FCT Head Of Service, 10 Perm Secs
- Sanwo-Olu Extends Ramadan Greetings To Muslim Community
Addressing journalists at a press conference on Tuesday, the Chairman, Rivers State APC Caretaker Committee, Chief Tony Okocha, “The same fifth columnist that are encouraging him (Fubara) to disobey Mr President, are on a new spree of casting aspersions, deriding the Senate President of Nigeria.
Click here to watch our video of the week
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
