The Babbe Advancement Forum (BAF) has vehemently condemned a statement attributed to Chief Tony Okocha, former Chief of Staff to former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the Caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State.
Okocha allegedly claimed that as Chief of Staff, he wrote local government election results in his office and hinted that Governor Siminalayi Fubara would follow suit by writing results in Government House and handing them over to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The BAF described Okocha’s statement as “reckless and unguarded,” saying it undermines the democratic process and perpetuates electoral malpractices.
The forum emphasized that there is no comparison between Governor Fubara and Chief Okocha, as Fubara is a product of the rule of law, fairness, and integrity.
“The statement credited to Chief Tony Okocha is an affront to democratic principles and a slap on the faces of Rivers people,” said Elder Emmanuel Aanee, Convener of the Babbe Advancement Forum.
“We are shocked that a former Chief of Staff could brazenly admit rigging elections and security agencies and anti-graft agencies have never invited him for questioning. This is unacceptable and we demand a retraction and an apology and urge the security agencies to invite him for questioning”, the Forum insisted.
The BAF stated that Governor Fubara would never engage in undemocratic practices like Okocha who lacks integrity and urged Okocha to resign from public office due to his “confessional statements.”
The Forum reaffirmed its support for Governor Fubara and his commitment to upholding democratic values.
“We urge Governor Fubara to remain focused on his agenda of delivering good governance to Rivers people and ignore the distractions of desperate politicians like Tony Okocha,” said Sir Benedict Kinakah, co-convener of the Babbe Advancement Forum.
The BAF pledged to continue to support the State government’s efforts to strengthen democracy and ensure that power remains with the people and is not hijacked by any cabal.