The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State says it is ready to welcome suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara if he decides to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, the reinstated APC Chairman in Rivers, Chief Emeka Beke, said Fubara’s potential defection would benefit both the governor and the party. His comments come amid speculation that Fubara may join the APC as part of negotiations to resolve the ongoing political crisis that led to his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
Beke, through his Chief of Staff, Chizi Enyi, said, “Welcoming the governor into the party will mean the APC gains a strategic advantage in Rivers State.” He added that Fubara, if he joins, would become the state leader of the party and give the APC a stronger role in governance.
The APC chair also expressed willingness to support Fubara in improving governance, stating that the party has kept many of its policy suggestions to itself while in opposition but would share them if the governor defects.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council has declared its neutrality, emphasizing its focus on Fubara’s return to office rather than party politics. Anabs Sara-Igbe, a member of the council, criticized the continued appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as Sole Administrator of the state, calling it unconstitutional.
Sara-Igbe dismissed speculation about Fubara joining the APC as irrelevant, stating, “Rivers people are not interested in any party. What we want is Sim’s return.”
Fubara’s media aide, Jerry Omatsogunwa, confirmed that reconciliation talks between the governor and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike are ongoing but withheld details. On the reports of a possible defection to APC, he said, “We have not heard anything about that for now.”
