Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara says he is fully committed to delivering victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, describing the coming polls as a “smooth ride” for the president in the state.
Speaking on Friday at the flag-off of the Rivers Airport Bypass Project, the governor publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) earlier in December.
“Today, I am very happy. I am not just a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), I am the number one. I have collected my [membership] card and the form is 001,” he said.
“So, from this moment, I am there [in APC] with all my chest and heart. The message is clear: We are going to do everything to make the 2027 election for Mr president a smooth ride in Rivers state.
“How do we do it? It is with all of you here. With your support. The only way we can continue to tell Mr President thank you is to support him.”
The governor’s declaration comes after weeks of shifting political alliances in Rivers, including the defection of 15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, to the APC.
Okay News reports that the state has been locked in recurring political tension despite the lifting of emergency rule in September.
Fubara’s endorsement of Tinubu follows a renewed clash with the assembly.
On Thursday, lawmakers accused the governor of unapproved spending and of awarding contracts to his allies.
The allegation trailed Fubara’s insistence that there was “no lingering dispute” between him and the legislature.
Speaking on Wednesday, the governor said claims that he had refused to engage lawmakers were “pure lies”, adding that he had made several attempts to meet with the assembly leadership since his reinstatement, none of which resulted in a meeting.
But Amaewhule rejected that account, saying Fubara was present in a meeting arranged in September by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. According to him, the governor reneged on commitments reached during that discussion.
