The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its willingness to embrace suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara as the state gears up for his reinstatement following the conclusion of emergency rule on Thursday.
During an interview on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ on Tuesday, Darlington Nwauju, the APC spokesperson for Rivers State, encouraged Governor Fubara to seize the moment of his return by joining the ruling party.
“If I were in Governor Fubara’s position, I would use my return on Thursday as an opportunity to declare my defection to the All Progressives Congress,” Nwauju stated.
He added, “We would warmly welcome the apc-sends-warning-shot-to-gov-adeleke-days-after-tinubu-talks/” title=”Tension in Osun as … sends warning shot to Gov Adeleke days after Tinubu talks”>governor into the APC, and we believe it would be a positive move for him.”
When asked if Fubara would assume leadership of the APC in Rivers State upon switching allegiance, Nwauju confirmed this possibility.
“According to our party’s constitution, once he joins the APC, he automatically becomes the party leader in the state,” he affirmed.
On the topic of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), who has overseen Rivers State during the six-month emergency administration, the APC spokesperson shared his views.
Nwauju clarified that the party has not formally requested a report on Ibas’s performance, noting that the responsibility lies with the National Assembly’s House of Representatives committee to scrutinize the administrator’s tenure.
“The APC has not officially called for an account of Ibas’s stewardship over the past six months,” he explained.
“The budget he operated with was sanctioned by the National Assembly, and there is a dedicated House of Representatives committee monitoring the emergency period.”
“I expect this committee to conduct thorough oversight, produce a detailed report, and inform Nigerians of their findings. This oversight is a fundamental part of their legislative duties,” Nwauju added.
In related developments, both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Fubara were anticipated to return to Nigeria on Tuesday, ahead of the formal resumption of democratic governance in Rivers State scheduled for Thursday.
President Tinubu, who left Nigeria on September 4 for a vacation in France and the UK, shortened his planned 10-day break. Meanwhile, Governor Fubara is expected to arrive from London.
The Rivers State government has stepped up efforts to organize the handover event that will officially conclude the emergency rule and restore civilian administration in the state.
