Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has officially confirmed his move to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that he has received a “positive signal” and the full support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to defect.
Speaking during a meeting with his loyalists on Tuesday evening, Governor Fubara said his visit to President Tinubu was a state-interest consultation, not a personal one, stressing that he wanted to avoid political “landmines” being set against his administration.
According to the governor, his discussion with the President centred on the political situation in Rivers State, and Tinubu had assured him of decisive action.
Fubara told his supporters that the long-awaited green light had now been given. “What you all have been waiting for… the signal has finally arrived. We have the full support. We have a positive ‘n’ to leave where we are because we didn’t get any protection there.”
He added that without President Tinubu, he would likely not still be in office. “Without Mr. President, there won’t be any His Excellency Simal. It would have been former governor.”
Fubara said that although he commands the support and numbers of Rivers people, it was important to formally align with the President politically and not offer what he called “backyard support.”
Declaring the unanimous decision of his camp, Fubara announced: “Everyone here who has followed me, who has suffered with me—our decision today is simple. We are moving to APC.”
His supporters broke into chants of “On your mandate we shall stand!” as the governor repeated the refrain. He assured them that all formal processes would begin immediately following the public declaration and promised not to betray their confidence.
Governor Fubara said Rivers people firmly stand with him and that his political structure would deliver solid support for President Tinubu.> “We will give that support with a loud ovation because we know that the people of Rivers State are with us.”
