Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers State, says the 2027 elections will be a “smooth ride” for President Bola Tinubu.
Fubara made the remark on Friday during the flag-off of the Rivers Airport Bypass project.
“Today, I am very happy. I am not just a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), I am the number one. I have collected my [membership] card and the form is 001,” Fubara said.
“So, from this moment, I am there [in APC] with all my chest and heart. The message is clear: We are going to do everything to make the 2027 election for Mr president a smooth ride in Rivers state.
“How do we do it? It is with all of you here. With your support. The only way we can continue to tell Mr President thank you is to support him.”
Fubara officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on December 9, shortly after 15 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including Speaker Martin Amaewhule, also joined the ruling party.
Although the state recently emerged from a period of political crisis, tensions have resurfaced between the governor and the assembly.
On Thursday, lawmakers accused Fubara of unauthorised expenditure and of allegedly awarding contracts to close associates.
The claims came a day after Fubara insisted there was no ongoing rift with the assembly, describing suggestions that he has refused to engage with lawmakers as “pure lies.”
He said he has made repeated efforts to meet with the assembly leadership since his reinstatement in September, but no meeting has taken place.
However, Speaker Amaewhule rejected that assertion, saying members of the assembly met with Fubara in September at the request of Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Amaewhule further accused the governor of failing to uphold the agreements reached at that meeting.