The All Progressives Congress has urged residents of Rivers State to give overwhelming electoral support to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, signaling the party’s growing influence in the South-south following the governor’s recent defection to the ruling party.
The call was made by the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, during an address to party supporters in the state. Mr Basiru described Governor Fubara’s alignment with the APC as a positive development for both the party and the state government.
The remarks were captured in a video shared on Facebook by Rivers State Television. While the broadcast did not indicate the exact time and venue of the address, an email from the Rivers State Government House said Mr Basiru spoke on Monday while delivering a goodwill message at the commissioning of the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters in Elimgbu. He led members of the APC National Working Committee to the event.
Mr Basiru said the performance of the governor reflected directly on the fortunes of the party, urging voters to show appreciation through continued electoral support.
“I congratulate our governor, and I congratulate our party, because when the governor is doing well, it means the party is doing well,” he said. “The way to compensate the governor and our party is to continue to vote for the APC in all elections.”
He expressed optimism that Rivers State would record strong support for the party in future polls, including the presidential election.
“In the fullness of time, during the next general election, the votes for our party, our governor and our president will be very massive in Rivers State,” he added.
Governor’s defection alters South-south political landscape
Governor Fubara’s move to the APC has effectively brought all South-south states under the control of the ruling party, representing a major political realignment in a region traditionally dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party.
The defection followed a visit to President Tinubu and came after months of political turmoil in Rivers State. The crisis, which involved a bitter feud with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, resulted in a divided state assembly, impeachment threats and a six-month state of emergency declared by the president.
Since the governor joined the APC, party leaders have stepped up efforts to present him as the party’s leader in Rivers and a key figure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Signals of second-term support
The appeal for large vote margins comes amid indications that the APC leadership is preparing the ground for Governor Fubara’s second-term ambition. Former presidential aide and ambassadorial nominee, Ita Enang, had earlier said there was a consensus within the party’s national leadership to grant automatic return tickets to governors who defect to the APC.
Mr Basiru’s comments appear to reinforce that position, as he directly tied future electoral success of the party to sustained support for Governor Fubara.
His remarks suggest that the governor is being positioned not merely as a new party member, but as a central figure in the APC’s political strategy in Rivers State.
Questions over Wike’s dominance
The APC’s open endorsement of Governor Fubara may also reshape the power dynamics in Rivers politics, where Mr Wike has long been a dominant force.
With the party now rallying behind Governor Fubara, political observers see the development as a possible weakening of Mr Wike’s influence in the state’s political landscape.
