The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to join the party.
According to the APC, if he chooses to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party will accept him.
Rivers APC Chairman, Emeka Beke, while speaking to Punch on Tuesday, stated that such a move will be mutually beneficial to both Fubara and APC.
Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Chizi Enyi, Beke stated that Fubara’s defection would give the APC greater leverage and visibility in the state’s governance.
His remarks come amid speculation that Fubara may defect to the APC as part of a political negotiation to resolve the lingering crisis in Rivers State, which led to his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
During the interview, Beke said, “Sure, we will welcome the governor. Do we have an option? Welcoming the governor into the party will mean the APC gains a strategic advantage in Rivers State.”
He noted that states where the governor is not from the ruling party often face challenges in funding and participation in state activities.
“As the governor of Rivers State, he automatically becomes the leader of the party at the state level. This would also allow the APC to play a key role in state programmes and functions,” he added.
Beke further stated that he would be open to offering guidance to Fubara on how to improve governance in the state.
He explained that while the APC, as the opposition, had previously withheld such advice, the dynamic would change should the governor join the party.
“As an opposition party, we have what it takes to help the governor do better than what he is currently doing. But we have kept our suggestions as part of our ideology. If the governor joins us, we’ll open our hearts to him and offer input on how to improve the lives of Rivers people and others residing in the state,” he said.
