JUST IN: Fubara Declared Leader of Rivers APC as Wike’s Ally Hands Him Party Membership Card

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has openly declared himself the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, marking a major shift in the power balance and sending shockwaves across both the Rivers APC and the national leadership of the party.

 

The declaration came shortly after Chief Tony Okocha, the Rivers State APC Chairman and a well-known political ally of former governor and current FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, formally presented an APC membership card to Governor Fubara.

 

The presentation was said to have been carried out at the directive of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, signaling the national party’s willingness to open its doors wide for the Rivers governor—despite the complex political backdrop.

 

A Symbolic Gesture with Deep Political Implications

 

The APC membership card presented to Governor Fubara reportedly bore the registration number 001, a symbolic gesture that many analysts say was clearly designed to confer recognition, prestige, and authority.

 

Although the meaning of “001” varies depending on internal party arrangements, in political symbolism it typically signifies primacy—an acknowledgment of the holder’s seniority or leadership within the party’s hierarchy at the state level.

 

Chief Tony Okocha, who has served as a vocal critic of Fubara in the past and a strong foot soldier for former Governor Wike, has been seen in recent weeks aligning more closely with the national APC leadership’s evolving strategy in Rivers State. His role in presenting the card appeared to confirm earlier reports that the APC was actively working to reposition itself by courting powerful political actors beyond its traditional base.

 

However, the biggest surprise came not from the presentation, but from Governor Fubara’s response.

 

Fubara: “I Am Not Just a Member, I Am No. 1 in Rivers APC”

 

Speaking during the commissioning of a state project, Governor Fubara shocked the political establishment by firmly declaring himself the new leader of the APC in Rivers State.

 

His words were bold, direct, and left no room for ambiguity:

 

“I’m not just a member of the APC. I’m the No. 1 in Rivers State. I’ve collected my registration card, and it reads ‘001.’”

 

 

The declaration was met with cheers from his supporters at the event, but it instantly triggered tension among political stakeholders, especially given the delicate political rivalry between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

 

A Stunning Twist in a Long-Running Political Battle

 

The political feud between Governor Fubara and former governor Wike has been one of the most explosive in Nigeria’s recent political history. What began as an internal misunderstanding within the PDP-led Rivers political structure gradually escalated into open confrontation, defiance, and realignment of political loyalties.

 

Wike, who helped Fubara emerge as governor in 2023, has repeatedly accused him of political ingratitude, insubordination, and dismantling the structures that brought him to power. Fubara, on his part, has accused Wike and his loyalists of attempting to maintain control of the state government through undue influence and unconstitutional interference.

 

As tensions escalated, the Rivers State House of Assembly split into two factions, court battles multiplied, and defections intensified.

 

Amid this backdrop, Governor Fubara’s sudden appearance in the APC is not just a political development—it is a dramatic twist that could redefine the 2027 political roadmap.

 

APC Stakeholders Split over Fubara’s Emergence

 

Reactions within the APC have been mixed.

 

Some APC members, especially those aligned with Wike, appear willing to embrace the governor’s entry into the party, seeing it as a strategic opportunity to weaken the PDP in Rivers State and consolidate political control.

 

However, other APC leaders and loyalists have expressed concern that Fubara’s rise within the party threatens the long-standing structure built by grassroots members, many of whom believe the move sidelines long-term party faithful in favour of a political newcomer.

 

A senior APC member who spoke anonymously described the situation as “a hostile takeover attempt.”

 

“What is happening in Rivers APC is unprecedented. A sitting PDP governor joins our party, and overnight he is declared leader? Many of us do not accept this. Leadership is earned, not handed over through political maneuvering.”

 

 

Another APC member, however, argued that Fubara’s defection is “a masterstroke.”

 

“Politics is about numbers, power, and survival. If the governor is joining the APC and the national body approves it, then we are in a stronger position ahead of 2027. This is politics, not charity.”

 

 

What Does Fubara’s Declaration Mean Going Forward?

 

Governor Fubara’s statement that he is now the “No. 1” APC figure in Rivers State suggests a full rejection of any attempt to confine him to a ceremonial role within the party.

 

Political analysts say the message was clearly targeted at two groups:

 

1. The Wike bloc, to signal that he will not operate under Wike’s influence even within the APC, and

 

 

2. The national APC leadership, to remind them that he expects full recognition and authority now that he is officially a member.

 

 

A New Political Realignment Taking Shape

 

With this development, Rivers State appears to be entering a new season of political realignment, one that could disrupt party structures from both the PDP and APC. Fubara’s declaration places him directly at the centre of future political negotiations, election planning, and institutional control.

 

The coming weeks will likely witness:

 

More defections into the APC

 

Possible countermeasures from Wike’s camp

 

Internal battles within both major parties

 

A reshaping of political alliances ahead of 2027

 

For now, one thing is clear: Governor Siminalayi Fubara is no longer just a participant in Rivers politics—he has positioned himself as the central figure in the unfolding power struggle.