 has indicated its willingness to accept suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara into the party should he decide to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).){kind=link}
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has indicated its willingness to accept suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara into the party should he decide to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking with The PUNCH on Tuesday, the reinstated Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, described such a move as beneficial for both Fubara and the APC, especially amid ongoing talks to resolve the political tensions in Rivers State that led to the governor’s suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
Through his Chief of Staff, Chizi Enyi, Beke emphasized that the APC would not hesitate to welcome Fubara into the fold.
“We are ready to receive the governor. Welcoming him will give the APC a strategic edge in Rivers State,” he said.
Beke pointed out that governors not aligned with the ruling party often encounter difficulties with funding and engagement in state affairs.
He added that if Fubara were to join the APC, the party would gain stronger influence and greater involvement in the governance of the state.
“As the governor, he would naturally become the party leader in Rivers State, allowing APC to play a more significant role in the state’s activities and programmes,” Beke noted.
He also mentioned his readiness to offer advice to the governor on improving governance, noting that while the APC has previously withheld such input due to its opposition status, the scenario would change if Fubara joined the party.
“We possess the capacity to help the governor enhance his administration, but we have held back due to our opposition role. Should he come into our fold, we would gladly share our insights to improve the lives of Rivers residents,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council has declared neutrality in the party politics surrounding the governor, emphasizing their priority is to see Fubara reinstated as governor.
Anabs Sara-Igbe, a member of the council and founding spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, told The PUNCH in a phone interview that their focus remains on Fubara’s return rather than party affiliations.
He criticized the continued appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, calling it unconstitutional.
Responding to speculation that Fubara might join the APC as part of a reconciliation deal with his former political mentor, now FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Sara-Igbe dismissed the rumours as irrelevant.
“The people of Rivers are not concerned with party politics at this moment. Our main interest is seeing Sim back in office,” he stressed.
Sara-Igbe added, “We elected him as our governor; we don’t want any other person taking control of our resources.”
Fubara’s media aide, Jerry Omatsogunwa, confirmed that discussions between the governor and Wike are ongoing but declined to provide specifics.
“They are currently in talks, but the details remain unclear. For now, all reports are just speculation. The full outcome will be known in due course,” he said.
Regarding rumours of the governor defecting to the APC, Omatsogunwa stated, “We have not received any information about that so far.”