Senate President Godswill Akpabio has hinted that Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Douye Diri of Bayelsa may soon join the All Progressives Congress (APC), signalling a potential political realignment in the South-South region.
Akpabio made the statement on Saturday during a reception held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, to formally welcome Governor Umo Eno into the APC. Eno had earlier announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on June 6.
The event attracted key figures in the ruling party, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as several governors and senators elected on the party’s platform.
Describing the occasion as more than a political crossover, Akpabio called it a “reunification of Akwa Ibom with Nigeria,” asserting that recent defections by governors like Eno and Delta State’s Sheriff Oborevwori indicate a growing shift of the South-South towards the APC.
“It was a little bit of a surprise when we (South-South) attempted to go different ways in 2023,” Akpabio said. “Today, Governor Otu is no longer an orphan. Thank you for being here to welcome your brothers, and you will welcome more brothers.”
Acknowledging Oborevwori’s alignment with the ruling party, Akpabio continued, “Governor Sheriff of Delta, thank you for joining the progressives’ family and moving the South-South in the progressives’ direction.”
He went on to suggest that the next wave of defections could come from Rivers and Bayelsa. “Governor Umo Eno, after you, who knows? Rivers State will tumble. After Rivers, Bayelsa will join,” he predicted.
Akpabio also celebrated the APC’s recent electoral gain in Edo State. “Of course, we have won the election in Edo State. We produced our amiable senator, Monday Okpebholo,” he said.
Akpabio expresses confidence in South-South
Looking ahead to 2027, the Senate President expressed confidence that the entire South-South region would rally behind President Bola Tinubu in his re-election bid.
“Come 2027, South-South will go one way; the South-South will vote for President Bola Tinubu,” he declared.
He concluded with a bold forecast, saying, “I see you becoming the first re-elected governor in 2027. I see the president getting 99.9% votes in 2027.”
Currently, the APC controls four of the six states in the South-South, with Rivers and Bayelsa still under PDP leadership.
