APC Declares Readiness to Work With Gov. Fubara as Rivers Awaits End of Emergency Rule

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared its readiness to work with Governor Siminalayi Fubara when democratic institutions are restored and emergency rule is lifted in the state on September 18.

Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the APC State Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, said the party would collaborate with the governor while maintaining its role as the opposition by holding his administration accountable.

“The governor who was suspended will return to office on 18th of September. APC will work with him when he returns. There are states where the governor and assembly members are in different parties. We are going to work with him. However, that will not take away our rights to criticize him when he does wrong,” Okocha said.

He added that APC Local Government Area Chairmen would cooperate with the governor except in cases where “vicious policies” are introduced.

Okocha described last Saturday’s local government elections as a “prelude” to the 2027 general elections. He explained that the APC deliberately avoided fielding candidates in areas dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), instead concentrating on strongholds where it enjoys a comparative advantage.

“We did not field candidates in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs because we do not have the strength in those areas. It was our own calculated strategy not to field candidates in those LGAs and concentrate only where we have comparative advantage,” he noted.

The APC chairman expressed optimism about the party’s rising profile in the state, contrasting its position during the 2023 elections with its current momentum.

“In 2023, APC in Rivers State had no shoes, now we are wearing psychedelic shoes. We are going to double and redouble our membership for the President. As far as my party is concerned, we will be fielding him for a second term in 2027,” Okocha declared.

Okocha also took aim at the PDP, alleging that the ruling party in the state is collapsing, with members defecting in large numbers to the APC.

“PDP is in tatters and people are leaving them in droves to other parties and we’re privileged to have them. We’ll continue our pleas for PDP members, particularly the FCT Minister, to come over to APC and have peace,” he added.

With the state preparing for the return of Governor Fubara on September 18, political watchers say the coming weeks will test the strength of inter-party cooperation and the APC’s claim of growing dominance in Rivers politics.