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The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has expressed its readiness to welcome Governor Siminalayi Fubara should he decide to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the ruling party.
Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, conveyed this position in an interview with Punch on Tuesday, describing the potential defection as a “win-win” scenario for both Governor Fubara and the APC.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Chizi Enyi, Beke noted that the governor’s switch to the APC would significantly boost the party’s political influence and involvement in governance at the state level.
His statement comes amid widespread speculation that Fubara may be considering a move to the APC as part of broader efforts to resolve the protracted political tension in the state a crisis that previously attracted the intervention of President Bola Tinubu.
“Of course, we would welcome the governor if he decides to join us. Do we have a choice?” Beke said. “His defection would be a major advantage for our party in Rivers, giving us a strategic foothold in state governance.”
He further explained that governors who belong to the ruling party at the federal level often enjoy smoother relations with federal agencies and improved access to resources, making such a political alignment beneficial for the state.
“By joining the APC, Governor Fubara would naturally assume leadership of the party in the state, giving us greater presence and influence in the execution of state programmes and initiatives,” Beke added.
He also hinted at the APC’s willingness to contribute ideas and support to improve governance in Rivers State something he said the party has been reluctant to do from the opposition side.
“As an opposition party, we have withheld our input to respect political boundaries. But if the governor becomes one of us, we would gladly share our insights to help move the state forward and enhance the welfare of its people,” Beke explained.
While Governor Fubara has not publicly indicated any intention to defect, the Rivers APC’s openness underscores ongoing political maneuvering as the crisis within the state’s political class continues to unfold.
