By Peter Omopo
September 2, 2025 | Port Harcourt
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has expressed its willingness to work with Governor Siminalayi Fubara when he is reinstated to office on September 18.
Speaking at a press conference in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the state APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, said the party was open to collaborating with the governor despite being the main opposition. He, however, stressed that such cooperation would not prevent the APC from holding the administration accountable on governance matters.
“The governor who was suspended will return to office on September 18. The APC will work with him when he returns,” Okocha said. “However, that will not take away our right to criticise him when he does wrong. Our local government chairmen will also work with him, except that we will not agree to vicious policies.”
Okocha described the just-concluded local government elections in the state as a prelude to the 2027 general elections, noting that the party adopted a selective strategy by not fielding candidates in areas dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“It was our calculated strategy not to field candidates in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGAs because we do not have the strength in those areas,” he explained. “Remember, Rivers State was a PDP state. But in 2023, APC had no shoes. Now we are wearing psychedelic shoes.”
He further expressed optimism about the party’s rising influence, pledging that the APC would continue consolidating its base in the state and mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu’s anticipated second-term bid in 2027.
Taking a swipe at the PDP, Okocha said the party was in disarray and losing members in droves to the APC. “PDP is in tatters and people are leaving them in droves. We’ll continue to appeal to PDP members, particularly the FCT Minister, to come over to the APC and have peace,” he stated.
Governor Fubara was suspended from office on March 18, 2025, by President Tinubu, who declared a state of emergency in Rivers following escalating political tensions and militant attacks on oil facilities. Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), was appointed as the interim Administrator of the state for six months.
Last weekend, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, hinted that the coast was now clear for Fubara’s reinstatement after the successful conduct of the local government elections.
