Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has declared that the 2027 elections would be a ‘smooth ride’ for President Bola Tinubu.
During the flag-off of the Port Harcourt Airport bypass project on Friday, the governor, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last Tuesday, said: ‘Today, I am very happy. I am not just a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), I am the No. 1. I have collected my (membership) card and the form is 001.
‘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’.
Fubara defected from the PDP to the APC days after 15 members of the state House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Awaewhule, joined the ruling party.
Earlier, while receiving the APC membership card from the party’s state Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, the governor said that his decision to switch party was to align with President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He described the move as ‘spiritual assignment’, stressing that joining the APC gives the state opportunity to have a good working relationship with the president.
‘As you have said, this is indeed a spiritual assignment because it concerns the safety, progress, and growth of Rivers State.
‘We cannot pursue a different direction when the President is pursuing another.
‘Joining the APC is part of our commitment to ensure a seamless working relationship and to contribute meaningfully to his reelection efforts in Rivers State’, he said.
Fubara expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the warm reception, noting that his decision to align with the APC was made in the interest of the state’s stability and development.
He further pledged to strengthen the APC in the state, assuring that the party structure, members, and executives would receive his total support.
‘This is now your home, Mr. Chairman. You are welcome here anytime. We will keep the APC active and fully functional in Rivers State, and every need of the party will be taken care of’, Fubara affirmed.
