In a significant political development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday formally welcomed the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, into the party’s fold.
Governor Fubara, who had recently resigned his membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), made the move to align his political future with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
The official reception took place at the State Government House in Port Harcourt, where Fubara completed the APC membership form and other requisite party documents before being handed his party slip and membership card.
The APC delegation was led by the State Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, and included the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo. Chief Okocha, widely regarded as a loyalist of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, spoke on the mandate he received from the party’s national leadership.
Okocha confirmed the official nature of the visit, stating he “was called up by the Chairman of our great party and given the mandate to visit you and make a presentation of our membership card to you as a prelude to the official reception.”
He added that “That assignment for me is a holy one for that matter.”
Offering congratulations, Okocha remarked, “Before I get into that, let me take this time out to congratulate you on your decision to join the All Progressives Congress.” He further acknowledged the Governor’s reasoning, continuing, “I think on the day you spoke to Nigerians, I also was at the side of my television listening, and I was comfortable with all the reasons you adduced for which you made your decision to be part of Mr President’s political party.”
Okocha expressed pleasure that they had agreed to work together under the leadership and headship of His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and guaranteed the Governor full support.
The State Chairman concluded with an assurance of unwavering commitment: “As your servant, the Chairman of the party in the state, I want to say to you that we welcome you with our whole heart and assure you with due respect that we will be at your beck and call.” He added, “I am also grateful and most thankful that this opportunity has presented to me and to us another vista for relationship, remembering what we used to do here in Rivers State.”
In his response, Governor Fubara justified his decision by stressing the critical need for political synergy, stating there was the need to align the state with the power at the centre in the interest of progress and development, affirming that “Rivers cannot stand separately.”
The Governor linked his defection directly to President Tinubu’s political future, declaring, “So, I took this decision as my return favour, my own clearing the bush to ensure that his reelection come 2027 will be easy and smooth in this state.” He highlighted the unity achieved: “Now that we are all in one party, I know we have always supported from, but from different flats, but now we are inside one flat. The job is now easy to fulfil what we have promised the present.”
Promising to reinforce the party locally, Governor Fubara said, “Let me thank the National Executive. The State Chairman representing the National Chairman, I want to assure you. That we will do everything to keep APC as the main and active progressive party in Rivers State.”
Fubara committed himself fully to the party structure, stating, “We will not stop there. It is my duty from this minute to ensure that the party is properly taken care of. I will assure you here that every need of the Exco and the party becomes my responsibility.” He concluded by setting the task ahead: “We have a task ahead. To preach the news of Mr President. To soften every strongman in this state and to make sure that at the end it would be a smooth sail in Rivers State.”
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