Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, on Friday, declared himself the leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state.

The governor made the declaration during the flag-off event of the Rivers State airport bypass and tollgate project. 

“I’m very happy this morning. I’m not just a member of the All Progressive Congress, I am the number one. I have collected my card and the form is 001,” Mr Fubara stated.

“From this moment, it is not an issue of “e be like say or e no be”. I am there with all my chest and heart,” he said.

Speaking on his official defection to the APC on Wednesday, Mr Fubara explained that the move was embarked upon in a bid to ensure President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

“We are going to do everything to make sure that 2027 election for Mr President would be a smooth drive in Rivers,” he noted.

Appealing for support, the governor stated that his decision to join the APC was the only means to express gratitude to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“How do we do it? It is with all of you here. The only way we can continue to tell Mr President thank you is to support him,” he said.

Mr Fubara was suspended in March amid a power tussle with the former governor of the state and current minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, which led to a state of emergency, declared by the federal government for six months.