Amanze Chinonye
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has formally declared his alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging the full political support of Rivers State for President Tinubu.
The governor described his move to the ruling party as both natural and long overdue, Prime Business Africa reports.
Fubara made the declaration on Thursday during a visit to the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, where he was received by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, Ph.D., and Nze Duru, who confirmed his participation in welcoming the governor.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to Duru, they also deliberated on issues of national importance and plans for Governor Fubara’s formal integration into the party.
Speaking at the secretariat, Governor Fubara emphasized the importance of familiarizing himself with the party’s operations. “I felt it would be for me to visit the National Secretariat today to familiarise myself with the members and the operations. This way, when I come here next time, it won’t feel as if I am a new person,” he said.
He pledged his commitment to the APC’s growth, linking the party’s fortunes directly to President Tinubu’s success. “I am here this evening to assure you that I have come in, and we will work together to ensure that this party becomes greater than it is. The greatness we all desire from this party is the success of Mr. President,” he said.
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Highlighting the progress of his administration in Rivers State, Fubara noted growing grassroots support, promising that lawmakers aligned with his government were also committed to the APC’s agenda. “We are now standing with Mr. President. On behalf of the good people of Rivers State, my supportive members of the National Assembly, and members of the State Assembly who are with us, I can assure you that your new home is Rivers State,” he added.
Using familial imagery, Fubara described the APC as his “father’s house” and invited the party leadership to Rivers State to formally complete the political realignment. “I am now in my father’s house, but it will also be proper for the father to come to his son’s house, so that the people of Rivers State will know that this is truly a complete process,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the APC, Senator Basiru welcomed the governor, calling his decision a major boost for the party in the South-South. “The geopolitical zone is the first that is completely APC. If the strength of our party was at Power 50 before, it is now much better; it has become Power 100,” he said.
Fubara framed his defection as the formalization of a long-held political belief, emphasizing gratitude to President Tinubu. “My joining the Progressive Congress is to say thank you to Mr. President and to join hands with other progressives to develop my state and Nigeria at large,” he said.
He also criticized his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he never felt fully integrated and bore the brunt of its internal crises. “If I have to be honest, was I really a member of the PDP? I wasn’t… I was just there… at the balcony, I wasn’t inside the house; I was outside,” he said.
Nze Duru, reflecting on the meeting, described the governor’s visit as a milestone in the APC’s growth in the South-South region. “We had the privilege of welcoming Governor Fubara to the party and discussing not only national issues but also how to fully integrate him into the APC. His presence marks a significant step for unity and progress in Rivers State and beyond,” Duru said.
The visit is seen as a key step in the APC’s consolidation in Rivers State, setting the stage for political unity and strategic positioning ahead of future elections.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
