By Deborah Nnamdi
Ahead of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s expected reinstatement on September 18, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has expressed its readiness to work with him upon his return to office.
The party, however, emphasized that this cooperation would not hinder its role as the main opposition, particularly in holding the governor accountable on governance matters.
Speaking during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the State APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, affirmed the party’s commitment to supporting the state’s development while maintaining a critical stance where necessary.
“The governor who was suspended will return to office on September 18. The APC will work with him when he returns,” Okocha stated. “There are states where the governor and the House are from different parties. We are going to work with him, but that will not take away our right to criticize him when he does wrong.”
He added that the party’s local government chairmen would collaborate with the governor, provided his policies are not “vicious.”
Commenting on the recently concluded local government elections, Okocha described the exercise as a prelude to the 2027 general elections. He explained that the APC chose not to contest in traditional PDP strongholds such as Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs, focusing instead on areas where it had stronger grassroots support.
“Our decision was strategic. We concentrated on LGAs where we had a comparative advantage. Rivers has long been a PDP state, but things are changing,” he said.
Reflecting on the APC’s evolution in the state, Okocha said the party had made significant progress since the 2023 elections.
“In 2023, APC in Rivers State had no shoes. Now, we are wearing psychedelic shoes,” he quipped. “We will continue to grow our membership base and support President Bola Tinubu, who we plan to field for a second term in 2027.”
Okocha also took aim at the PDP, claiming the party was in decline, with many of its members defecting to the APC.
“PDP is in tatters. People are leaving them in droves, and we welcome them. We’ll continue to appeal to PDP members, especially the FCT Minister, to join the APC,” he said.
Governor Fubara was suspended from office by President Tinubu on March 18 after declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State amidst escalating political tensions. The move followed attacks on oil installations by militants allegedly sympathetic to Fubara, with Tinubu accusing the governor of failing to address the security threats.
Following Fubara’s suspension, Tinubu appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as interim Administrator of the state for an initial six-month term.
However, momentum has recently shifted towards Fubara’s return. Speaking after casting his vote in the local government elections last Saturday, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike said the poll had “cleared the coast” for the governor’s reinstatement.
