A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers state, Godpower Egbono, has affirmed that the former chief of staff to ex-governor Rotimi Amaechi, Tony Okocha, was a crucial driving force behind the party’s performance in Rivers state, which ultimately led to president Bola Tinubu’s success.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja he also noted that the gubernatorial candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Magnus Abe, in the 2023 elections, did not contribute to President Tinubu’s victory in the state.
Egbono, who served as a member of the APC presidential campaign council for the South-South region, noted that if he (Okocha) had deserted the party like other leaders, Tinubu would not have won in Rivers State.
Highlighting Okocha’s significance, Egbono expressed the need to commend him, emphasising that if Okocha had abandoned the party like other leaders, Tinubu would not have emerged victorious in Rivers State.
Egbono said, “Okocha has consistently sought to highlight the contributions of himself, former governor, Wike and Rivers APC in securing the favorable outcome for the APC and Asiwaju. His media campaign has been objective and devoid of personal attacks or bias.”
He continued, “Perhaps his only criticism is challenging the SDP to present their results as a qualification for any rewards from the party. However, they should bear in mind that no amount of name-calling or bias will influence the President’s decision regarding rewards.”
Egbono clarified that when Okocha claimed that “Wike delivered the state for president Bola Tinubu in the February poll,” he was merely stating a fact supported by polling results from the APC, in which Okocha played a significant role. It is widely known that Wike influenced his own party and formed an alliance with Okocha’s APC, resulting in the achieved outcomes.”
According to Egbono, it is no secret that Abe joined the SDP, and his votes, along with those of his supporters, went to the SDP.
He posed the question, “Between the SDP leader and the APC leader, Tony Okocha, who should the party caution?”
