The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, led by Tony Okocha has confirmed September 18, 2025, as the date Governor Siminalayi Fubara is expected to return to office following the expiration of the state of emergency.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the APC secretariat on Aba Road, Okocha said Fubara’s return was “no longer a matter of conjecture” and assured that his camp was prepared to work with the governor, provided he does not pursue what he described as “obnoxious policies.”
The announcement comes months after a political battle against Fubara and the APC.
The battle with the APC, backed by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, culminated in his suspension. Okocha, however, signalled a readiness to collaborate, while cautioning that his faction would resist any policy deemed detrimental to the state.
Okocha also celebrated the party’s performance in the recent local government elections, where the APC secured victories in 20 local government areas, while the PDP won three. He described the outcome as the beginning of a new political era for the party in Rivers State.
“When I took over as caretaker committee chairman, I promised that the APC would begin to contest elections and win in Rivers. Winning 20 LGAs is no mean feat,” he said, adding that the party intends to double its numbers by 2027 in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
The Rivers APC chairman dismissed the existence of rival factions, insisting his leadership remains the face of the party in the state. He attributed the party’s electoral gains to a “rainbow coalition” of politicians across different divides, united in their support for the President.
Okocha also hailed the peaceful conduct of the polls, noting that the elections were free from ballot box snatching, violence, or disruption. According to him, the turnout of over two million voters reflected strong grassroots participation.
