The Fubara APC defection has triggered fresh political debate in Rivers State, with the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, praising President Bola Tinubu’s role in what he described as a major realignment in the South-South region.
Keyamo made the remarks on Friday during the flag-off of the 7-kilometre Ipo Town–Airport Bypass and the commissioning of the Ikwerre Road–Igwuruta–Airport Road Corridor, both reconstructed by the Rivers State Government.
According to the minister, President Tinubu has delivered significant infrastructure and political inclusion for Rivers State and the wider South-South. He argued that these developments have encouraged closer alignment between the region and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the event, Keyamo said Rivers State has historically avoided long-term opposition politics, adding that the current shift reflects that political culture.
Meanwhile, Keyamo formally welcomed Governor Siminalayi Fubara into the APC, describing the move as a major boost for the party ahead of future elections.
“We set a trap to catch a frog, but we caught an elephant in the person of Sir Siminalayi Fubara,” Keyamo said. “Welcome to the fold of the progressives and to the largest party in Africa.”
The minister went further to claim that the Fubara APC defection represents a turning point for opposition politics in the state. In his view, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered a serious setback with the governor’s exit.
Keyamo argued that Fubara’s decision reflects broader dissatisfaction within the opposition and signals a loss of influence for the PDP in Rivers State.
“With Fubara’s entry into the APC,” he said, “the soul of the PDP has left the party.”
Political analysts note that the Fubara APC defection could reshape Rivers State’s political landscape, especially as preparations gradually begin for the 2027 general elections.
