Senate President Godswill Akpabio has dropped a major hint that Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State and Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State could soon defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He made this projection as part of a broader realignment of the South-South region toward the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio made this statement on Saturday during a reception at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, which was held to officially welcome Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, into the APC.
The high-profile event witnessed the presence of Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, and several governors and lawmakers from the APC.
Governor Umo Eno had earlier declared his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on June 6, marking a notable shift in Akwa Ibom politics.
Calling the move symbolic, Akpabio described the defection as a sign of regional transformation.
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You won’t regret joining APC or face humiliation,” President Tinubu assured Eno, solidifying support for the newly defected governor.
Akpabio added, “Today, Governor Otu is no longer an orphan. Thank you for being here to welcome your brothers, and you will welcome more brothers. Governor Sheriff of Delta, thank you for joining the progressives’ family and moving the South-South in the progressives’ direction. Governor Umo Eno, after you, who knows? Rivers State will tumble. After Rivers, Bayelsa will join.
He also pointed to the APC’s recent victory in the Edo State Senate bye-election, stating: “Of course, we have won the election in Edo State. We produced our amiable senator, Monday Okpebholo.
Looking ahead to 2027, Akpabio expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would receive overwhelming backing from the South-South region. “Come 2027, South-South will go one way; the South-South will vote for President Bola Tinubu,” he declared.
Currently, the APC controls four out of the six South-South states, while Rivers and Bayelsa remain under PDP leadership.
