Fubara’s Rumoured Defection to APC Faces Resistance as Wike’s Men Tighten Grip

Fubara’s Rumoured Defection to APC Faces Resistance as Wike’s Men Tighten Grip

 

 

Speculations that suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, may defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) appear to have hit a stumbling block, as loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, issue stern warnings against what they describe as unauthorized entry into the party.

 

Tony Okocha, a long-time ally of Wike and chairman of the factional APC in Rivers State, addressed journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, sending a clear message to would-be defectors: joining the APC will not be a free-for-all affair.

 

“Those who want to join the APC must not come through the window,” Okocha warned, using a metaphor that appeared to suggest there will be stringent checks on political migrants into the party.

 

Though he stopped short of naming Fubara directly, political observers believe the comments were aimed squarely at the embattled governor.

 

Okocha, who has served in various capacities under Wike dating back to his tenure as chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, is widely seen as the FCT Minister’s political point man within the APC in Rivers. Under his leadership, the Wike-aligned faction of the party has grown increasingly influential, even as it continues to clash with the faction loyal to former Transportation Minister, Chibuike Amaechi.

 

The political atmosphere in Rivers remains tense following the ongoing feud between Wike and Fubara, a rift that has split the state’s political landscape. Analysts say any potential move by Fubara to defect to the APC could be viewed as an attempt to consolidate his position amid his current suspension and rising political isolation.

 

However, Okocha’s remarks suggest such a move would not be welcomed by Wike’s faction, which maintains strong influence at both state and national levels of the APC. The group recently held a stakeholders’ forum where it publicly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027 — a move widely interpreted as a signal of its growing alignment with the central leadership of the party.

 

The endorsement motion was put forward by Ferdinand Anyanwata, the party chairman in Port Harcourt City (PHALGA), and seconded by legal adviser Kelechi Nwuzi. In his remarks, Okocha lauded Tinubu’s administration for its “numerous achievements” and dismissed claims of worsening hunger under the current government, arguing that economic hardship predates the current presidency.

 

Okocha also highlighted the national-level endorsement of Tinubu by APC leaders in the National Assembly, stating that the Rivers State chapter was simply echoing that sentiment.

 

While the APC continues to wrestle with internal divisions in Rivers, the political future of Governor Fubara remains uncertain. If he does attempt to switch allegiance to the APC, he may find the path heavily guarded — not just by procedural requirements, but by entrenched political rivalries.