The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally endorsed Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for a second term in office, a move that further reshapes the political landscape of the oil-rich state ahead of the 2027 general elections. The endorsement followed Governor Fubara’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on December 9, 2025, a political switch that completed the ruling party’s alignment across the South-South geopolitical zone. The development is widely seen as a major boost for the APC’s consolidation drive in a region traditionally dominated by opposition parties.
Governor Fubara was received at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja during a high-profile meeting with members of the party’s National Working Committee, led by the National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda. Party leaders described the atmosphere as cordial and forward-looking, signalling a new chapter in the APC’s engagement with Rivers State. In its address, the NWC hailed Fubara’s entry into the APC as a “strategic and progressive step,” noting that his decision aligns with the broader objective of strengthening cooperation between states and the federal government.
The committee commended the governor’s leadership style, his growing grassroots appeal, and his willingness to work closely with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. According to the NWC, Governor Fubara’s political structure and influence at the grassroots level would play a critical role in consolidating the APC’s fortunes in Rivers State and the wider South-South. The committee assured him of the party’s full backing, including support for his re-election bid in 2027, stressing that his endorsement reflects the party’s confidence in his capacity to deliver governance and electoral victories. “The governor’s alignment with the APC strengthens national unity and enhances the prospects for accelerated development in Rivers State,” party leaders said, adding that Fubara’s collaboration with the federal government would translate into tangible benefits for the people of the state.
However, the meeting was not without controversy. Observers noted the conspicuous absence of key loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, at the event. Also absent were the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and several lawmakers known to be aligned with Wike. Their absence has reignited questions about the durability of the much-publicised peace deal between the two camps, following months of intense political rivalry that plunged Rivers State into crisis.
Analysts say the development underscores lingering distrust within the state’s political elite, despite recent efforts at reconciliation. Reacting to the endorsement, Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to the APC leadership for the warm reception and pledged his total commitment to the party’s ideals. He reaffirmed his support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, promising that Rivers State would play a significant role in delivering substantial votes for the APC in the 2027 elections.
Fubara described his defection from the PDP as a pragmatic and strategic decision taken in the best interest of Rivers people. According to him, aligning with the ruling party at the centre would foster better federal-state relations, improve access to critical infrastructure projects, and ensure sustainable development across the state. “This decision is about protecting the interests of Rivers people and positioning our state for greater opportunities,” the governor said. “Our focus remains governance, stability, and delivering dividends of democracy to our citizens.
” The endorsement comes against the backdrop of Governor Fubara’s reinstatement in September 2025, following a six-month suspension linked to earlier political tensions in the state. Since his return, the governor has embarked on a series of reconciliatory moves and political consultations aimed at stabilising Rivers politics and strengthening his administration.
APC stakeholders have described the NWC’s endorsement as a major morale booster for the party in the South-South, noting that several lawmakers, local government leaders, and influential political figures have already begun defecting to the party in the wake of Fubara’s move.
As political realignments continue, attention remains firmly on Rivers State, where the unfolding dynamics between former allies and new party partners are expected to shape not only the 2027 governorship race but also the broader balance of power in the region. For now, the APC’s public backing of Governor Fubara signals a clear intention to rally around him, even as questions persist over internal unity and the future role of Wike’s loyalists within
the state’s evolving political order.