Rivers APC Woos Fubara Ahead of Democratic Return

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has extended an open invitation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to join its fold as the state prepares to return to democratic governance on Thursday.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief yesterday, the reinstated state APC spokesman, Darlington Nwauju, said the party would “gladly receive” the governor if he decides to defect.

“If I were the governor of Rivers State, on my return on Thursday, I would announce my defection to the APC. I think the governor should join the APC, and we would gladly receive him,” Nwauju said.

He explained that by the convention of the APC, Fubara would automatically become the leader of the party in the state once he joins.

On the six-month administration of the state under the emergency rule led by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.), Nwauju said the APC had not called for a probe of the administrator.

“The budget approval he got was from the National Assembly. There is a committee from the House of Representatives overseeing the emergency period. I expect that committee to do its work and brief Nigerians accordingly,” he stated.

Both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Fubara are expected back in the country today ahead of Thursday’s handover. Tinubu, who travelled to France and the UK on vacation earlier this month, cut short his break, while Fubara is due back from London.

Vice Admiral Ibas is concluding transition activities to formally hand over power as Rivers State ends six months of emergency rule.