Fubara Declares Self As Rivers APC Leader, Vows ‘Smooth Ride’ For Tinubu In 2027

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday, declared himself the “number one” member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, pledging total loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and promising that the 2027 elections would be a “smooth ride” for the president in the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of the Rivers Airport Bypass Project in Port Harcourt, Fubara confirmed his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC, saying he had formally registered as a party member.

“Today, I am very happy. I am not just a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), I am the number one,” the governor announced to cheering supporters. “I have collected my [membership] card and the form is 001. So, from this moment, I am there [in APC] with all my chest and heart.”

Fubara said his defection was motivated by a desire to strengthen ties with the federal government and ensure Rivers State remains in good standing with the president.

“The message is clear: we are going to do everything to make the 2027 election for Mr President a smooth ride in Rivers State,” he said. “How do we do it? It is with all of you here. With your support. The only way we can continue to tell Mr President thank you is to support him.”

Recall that Fubara formally dumped the PDP on December 9, joining 15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, who also defected to the APC earlier in the month.

However, his defection came amid renewed political tension in the state.

On Thursday, the Amaewhule-led Assembly accused the governor of unapproved spending and of allegedly awarding contracts to cronies — allegations the governor has dismissed as “politically motivated.”

The accusations came barely a day after Fubara had told reporters there was “no lingering dispute” between his administration and the state legislature, insisting claims that he had refused to engage with lawmakers were “pure lies.”

“I have made several attempts to meet with the Assembly leadership since my reinstatement in September, but no meeting has been scheduled,” Fubara said earlier in the week.

But Speaker Amaewhule countered the governor’s claim, maintaining that lawmakers had met with Fubara in September at the instance of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. He accused the governor of reneging on the agreements reached at that meeting.