Fubara’s defection boosts party’s popularity in Rivers — APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the defection of Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has strengthened the party and increased its acceptance among the people of the state.

The party made this known as committees constituted by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) concluded delegate congresses and party primaries ahead of the February 21 House of Assembly bye-elections in Rivers State.

Members of the committees overseeing the processes in Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II addressed journalists in a joint briefing on Sunday after what they described as a successful exercise.

Chairman of the Congress and Primary Committee for Ahoada East State Constituency II, Shehu Dange, said Governor Fubara’s entry into the APC had further united the party and endeared it to the people of Rivers State.

According to Dange, the mood across the constituency reflected renewed confidence in the APC’s leadership.

“As we moved around the constituency, we saw the reactions of the people. They are happy with the new development and the emergence of a new leader of the APC in the state,” he said.

“Governor Fubara’s leadership has further united the APC family. The party is getting stronger in Rivers State because it now has a leader with focus and direction.”

Also speaking, Secretary of the Delegate Congress and Party Primary Committee for Ahoada East State Constituency II, Barrister Smart Iheanazor, said the excitement witnessed during the exercise was driven by the trust residents have in the governor.

He noted that party members openly expressed support for President Bola Tinubu, chanting “Renewed Hope” in anticipation of the 2027 general elections.

“The massive turnout across Ahoada showed the level of commitment and confidence the people have in the governor and the party,” Iheanazor said.

Similarly, Chairman of the Congress and Primary Committee for Khana State Constituency II, Ayoala Peter, said the enthusiasm displayed by party members signalled the APC’s readiness for victory in both the February 21 bye-elections and the 2027 general elections under Governor Fubara’s leadership.

“Despite the long distances between wards and the time it took to access some areas, party members waited eagerly to participate. Their happiness and willingness were evident,” he said.

Earlier, the APC committees conducted ward congresses in both Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II to elect delegates who will vote in the party’s primaries ahead of the bye-elections.

In Ahoada East, the exercise was supervised by the Congress and Primary Committee chaired by Shehu Dange, with Barrister Smart Iheanazor as secretary, alongside members of the party’s appeal committee. The process was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Assistant Electoral Officer (Operations) Okogbule Emilia, as well as security agencies including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force. Delegates were selected through a voice vote.

In Khana State Constituency II, the congress was held concurrently under the supervision of Ayoala Peter, with delegates elected through an open ballot system. INEC officials and security agencies, including the DSS and the police, also monitored the exercise.

Five delegates were elected from each ward in both constituencies. The delegates will now participate in the APC primaries to select the party’s candidates for the February 21 House of Assembly bye-elections in Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II.