The immediate past Rivers State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Engr Chukwudi Dimkpa has cautioned Mr Tony Okocha to desist from his distructive criticism of President Bola Tinubu.
He urged him to join in contributing to the renewed hope efforts of President Tinubu’s administration rather than creating division and distraction
Engr. Dimkpa, in a statement released by his media assistant, Stephen Deegbara, was reacting to media report credited to Mr Okocha who had accused Dimkpa of being part of a meeting where a directive was allegedly issued by immediate past minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, that Rivers APC members should vote for the candidate of the PDP in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar.
Mr. Tony Okocha who is a current nominee for the NDDC Board, was quoted in various media platforms to have made the accusation during his visit to national chairman of APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, yesterday in Abuja.
But in a swift reaction from Dr Dimkpa and published by his media aide, Mr Deegbara, denied the allegations.
The statement reads;
“Our attention has been drawn to a statement made by one Tony Okocha, a self acclaimed “digital leader” of the Rivers State Chapter of the APC where he alleged that our revered principal, Engr Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa FNSE was present at a meeting held at the instance of the former Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi CON, where a decision was taken to support H.E. Abubakar Atiku, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, in the just concluded general elections.
As one who has held public office, we would expect that supposed “leaders” like Mr. Okocha will understand the need to be cautious with words, mindful of facts, and to always seek to heal, not to destroy.
While we will not speak for others mentioned by Mr. Okocha, we are however obligated to speak for our principal, Engr Dr Chukwudi Dimkpa.
We make bold and relying on good authority to say that Engr. Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa FNSE was never part of any meeting where whatever decisions Mr. Okocha has conjured was taken.
In Okocha’s infantile desire to perpetuate his falsehood and desperately gain cheap political milage, he should not forget that as a foundation member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria in Rivers state, Engr. Chukwudi Dimkpa has more to gain from an Asiwaju Presidency than Mr Okocha can ever fathom, hence his decision to work tirelessly for the President’s electoral victory in Rivers State.
We note that as a committed member of the APC, Engr Chukwudi Dimkpa has devoted his time, energy, and resources along with other stakeholders to ensure that the party emerged victorious in the just concluded polls.
Among other assignments he delivered successfully, Engr. Dimkpa was head of the Security Committee for the Asiwaju Tinubu Presidential Campaign Rally in Rivers State, where he ensured, along with members of the team and security agencies, that a safe, secure and seamless campaign rally, in Port Harcourt.
This feat was achieved despite spirited efforts by persons well known to Mr. Okocha to derail the peaceful conduct of the campaign rally. Mr. Okocha should not forget that his record was appreciated warmly when he was disgracefully booed to scorn by the teaming members of the Rivers APC at the Yakubu Gowon stadium, Port Harcourt in the presence of Mr President, after his failed attempts to undermine the peaceful rally. He may wish to recall it was Engr. Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, who, as head of security, personally safe guarded his exit from the stage on the day of that Presidential rally.
Elections have come and gone. It is now time to focus on governance. Perhaps Mr. Okocha is not aware that the party under the able leadership of H.E. Abdullahi Ganduje OFR is determined to end all internal friction within the party and does not have the patience for rabble rousers and tale bearers.
We applaud our dear National Chairman, His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje CON for admonishing Mr. Okocha and setting him straight at the courtesy visit where he made his unguarded remarks. We appeal to our dear Chairman to be wary of characters like Mr. Okocha whose actions are clearly not in consonance with the party’s desire for unity, but represent a selfish plan to derail the laudable objectives of the National leadership of the All Progressives Congress with regards to the Rivers State chapter of the APC.
Rivers people know Mr Okocha as an empty political canon, an unstable character and an opportunist, who only goes where his bread is buttered. This has been evident in his political sojourn as he started under H. E. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, moved to former Governor Amaechi, joined Sen. Abe in his fight against former Governor Amaechi, and returned back to former Governor Wike today. His selfish desire to attain undeserving political growth has seen him constantly crafting cheap blackmail and peddling falsehood against others.
Mr Okocha’s non-performance as Chairman Caretaker Committee Obio Akpor Local Government Council, his controversial short spell as Chief of staff Rivers State Government House and even his failure as a contestant in an election speaks volume of his loss of political value.
Perhaps Mr. Okocha will like us to remind him of how he was having a party at his Rumuigbo home, while elections in which he was a contestant on the platform of the APC were ongoing.
Engr. Chukwudi Dimkpa is not one to bandy words with a professional hanger on like Mr. Okocha. Rather, he will support and wish him well in the national assignment he has been given, as the success of one Rivers indigene is the success of all of us.
His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu does not suffer fools gladly. It would be wise advice for Mr. Okocha to stop being an agent of disunity and distractions to Mr. President’s administration and the APC.
We urge him to focus on discharging the duties given to him by Mr. President as the people of Rivers State, who he will represent on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, are waiting eagerly for an unfolding of his plans for the state and the region.