The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed readiness to receive suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara should he choose to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Reinstated Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, made the statement on Tuesday in an interview with The PUNCH, describing the potential defection as mutually beneficial for both Fubara and the party.
His comments follow ongoing speculation that Fubara may join the APC as part of efforts to resolve the political crisis in the state, which led to his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Chizi Enyi, Beke said, “Sure, we will welcome the governor. Do we have an option? Welcoming the governor into the party will mean the APC gains a strategic advantage in Rivers State.”
He explained that states led by governors from opposition parties often face challenges with funding and federal-level inclusion.
He noted that Fubara’s defection would enhance the APC’s visibility and influence in state affairs.
“As governor, he would automatically become the party’s leader at the state level.
That would enable the APC to play a central role in state programmes,” Beke added.
He also said the party would be open to providing guidance on governance, noting that although the APC had refrained from offering suggestions as an opposition party, the dynamic would change if Fubara joined them.
“We have ideas to help the governor perform better, but we’ve kept them to ourselves.
If he joins us, we’ll be open and supportive for the good of Rivers people,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council has reiterated its non-partisan stance, emphasizing that its priority is the reinstatement of Governor Fubara.
Anabs Sara-Igbe, a council member and former spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, criticized the continued appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as Sole Administrator of the state, calling it unconstitutional.
When asked about the possibility of Fubara joining the APC as part of a peace deal with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, Sara-Igbe dismissed the idea.
“Rivers people are not interested in that now. We just want Sim back. That is our interest,” he said.
“We elected him as our governor, and we don’t want others taking control of our resources.”
Governor Fubara’s media aide on electronic media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, confirmed that reconciliation talks between the governor and Wike are ongoing but declined to give details.
“They are talking, but everything being said for now is speculation.
The full picture will emerge with time,” he said, adding that there is no official information regarding a possible defection to the APC.