Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, and the Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Tony Okocha, on Friday presented Governor Siminalayi Fubara with the APC membership card at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Keyamo and Okocha also decorated the governor with the APC crest, marking his formal entry into the ruling party days after he publicly announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Governor Fubara had earlier disclosed during a stakeholders’ meeting that he was leaving the PDP for the APC, adding that he would conclude all membership processes within days. His defection comes amid political realignments in Rivers State and growing ties between his administration and the Federal Government.

A source at the Government House confirmed that Keyamo was in the state ahead of a project inauguration scheduled for Friday.

Speaking during the presentation, Okocha said he was acting on the directive of the APC National Chairman to formally hand the governor his membership card, describing it as a step toward Fubara’s official reception into the party.

He said, “Your Excellency, I was directed by the chairman of our great party to visit you and formally present your membership card as a prelude to your official reception. Let me congratulate you on your decision to join the All Progressives Congress.”

Responding, Governor Fubara stated that his move to the APC was guided by the need to protect the interests and progress of Rivers State. He noted that aligning with the ruling party was necessary to ensure stability and synergy with the Federal Government.

He said, “My decision was for the safety, protection, progress, and development of our dear state. We cannot be moving in a different direction from the federal government. There is every reason to support Mr President.”

Fubara added that President Bola Tinubu’s support during political tensions in the state played a key role in his decision.

“As a person, I know the sacrifice he made to ensure we still stand as a government. This is my return favour — to clear the path so that his re-election in 2027 will be easy and smooth in Rivers State,” he said.

The governor further assured the APC leadership that he would take full responsibility for strengthening the party within the state.

“We will do everything to keep the APC as the main and active progressive party in Rivers State. From this moment, every need of the executive and the party becomes my responsibility,” he said.

Fubara declared that with the state government and the APC now “in one flat,” it would be easier to deliver development and support the President’s agenda.