Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State was formally received into the All Progressives Congress (APC) on a Friday, marking a significant political realignment in a state previously plagued by prolonged tension. An APC delegation, led by Rivers APC Chairman Tony Okocha and Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, visited Government House in Port Harcourt for a symbolic reception. During the ceremony, Governor Fubara completed his membership form, endorsed necessary documents, and received his official membership slip and card, signifying his formal entry into the ruling party. His defection to the APC came shortly after his resignation from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), where he had built his political career before the state’s political crisis erupted.

Governor Fubara publicly linked his decision to the necessity of supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration, stating his aim for Rivers State to align with the government at the centre. He emphasized that this move would enable full support for the Renewed Hope Agenda and contribute to the state’s stability. This defection followed a wave of political movements in the state; days prior, 16 members of the Rivers House of Assembly, including the Speaker, had also defected from the PDP to the APC. Their move further altered the political landscape of the assembly, which had been divided along loyalty lines during the peak of the conflict between the governor and his predecessor.

For over a year, Rivers State had been embroiled in a high-stakes battle for control between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who had personally selected Fubara as his successor in 2023. Their relationship quickly deteriorated due to disagreements over political structures and appointments. This feud subsequently split the state assembly, with 27 lawmakers loyal to Mr. Wike and four members backing the governor. The confrontation escalated into a constitutional crisis involving disputed impeachment attempts, parallel sittings, and rival leadership claims. The rising tension led to street protests, legal battles, and widespread concerns about governance in the state. The crisis became so severe that President Tinubu invoked emergency powers earlier in the year, declaring a state of emergency in Rivers State. This led to the temporary suspension of the governor, his deputy, and all elected officials for six months, citing a breakdown of order and the need to restore stability, a move that generated national controversy.

Supporters of the governor condemned the suspension as excessive, while others argued its necessity to prevent further escalation. In June, President Tinubu brokered a peace deal between Messrs. Fubara and Wike. This agreement, supported by elders and key political stakeholders, paved the way for the termination of the emergency rule. Governor Fubara and the assembly members resumed their duties after September 18, following the president’s declaration lifting the emergency. Despite this formal settlement, both camps remained wary, and political analysts interpreted the governor’s eventual defection as a decisive move to solidify his position and mitigate internal hostilities.

During the reception, Rivers APC Chairman Tony Okocha, known as a key ally of the FCT Minister, announced that he had received instructions from the APC National Chairman to formally welcome the governor into the party. Okocha stated, “I was called by the chairman of our great party and given the mandate to visit you and make a presentation of our membership card to you as a prelude to your official public reception.” He congratulated Governor Fubara on his decision to join the APC under President Tinubu’s leadership and assured him of the party’s full backing in Rivers State, viewing their renewed political relationship as an opportunity to foster cooperation and restore harmony. Okocha pledged the party's unwavering support, saying,