Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), on Friday described the defection of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party’s biggest political gain in the South-South ahead of 2027.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Igwuruta–Airport Road and the flag-off of the Airport–Tollgate Bypass, Keyamo said the APC had “set a trap for a frog but caught an elephant,” referring to Fubara.
He credited the governor’s move to what he called President Bola Tinubu’s “strategic and inclusive leadership,” which he said had strengthened the party’s foothold in the region.
“As a true son of the South-South, I want to thank Mr President for all he has done for our people. It has never been this good,” Keyamo said, noting that the APC now holds all six states in the geopolitical zone after beginning “from zero in 2015.”
The minister commended Fubara for reconstructing the long-deplorable access road to the Port Harcourt International Airport, describing the intervention as a major relief for the aviation sector.
“We had wanted to give that road a facelift, but it looks like Rivers State has more money than us,” he said. “The whole world will now see that you have done it for us.”
Keyamo also apologized to host communities around the airport for what he termed past neglect by federal aviation authorities, acknowledging the governor’s frequent interventions to ease tensions and support residents.
He said the newly flagged-off bypass would expand commercial activities around the airport corridor and improve access for surrounding communities.
Governor Fubara, responding, recalled the protest that shut down access to the airport last year, describing it as “embarrassing,” especially at a time when the state was grappling with political instability.
“Blocking the airport sent the wrong signal — as if the government wasn’t doing anything,” he said. “We engaged the community immediately. They asked for employment, healthcare and electricity. While employment was not in our hands, we activated the health centre and restored power.”
Fubara said the new bypass was conceived as a permanent solution to prevent further disruption of airport operations.
“It is not even healthy for communities to keep passing through the airport to reach their homes,” he said. “This bypass ends that challenge and opens up the area for development.”
The governor said the 12.2km Igwuruta–Airport project had already been delivered, while the new 7.1km bypass would be completed within eight months.
He added that the old airport road would be tolled once the new route becomes operational.
Fubara reiterated his readiness to support the Tinubu administration on federal infrastructure within the state, saying: “We can’t leave everything to the President and the Minister. It is a joint responsibility.”
