The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the defection of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has strengthened and united the party in the state, providing clearer leadership direction and boosting membership across the oil-rich state.

Members of committees set up by the APC National Working Committee to conduct delegate congresses and party primaries ahead of the February 21 House of Assembly bye-elections made the assertion on Sunday.

They spoke at a joint press briefing after conducting ward congresses in Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II.

The Chairman of the Congress and Primary Committee for Ahoada East State Constituency II, Shehu Dange, said Governor Fubara’s entry into the APC had further united the party and endeared it to the people of Rivers State.

According to him, reactions from residents during the exercise reflected renewed confidence in the party’s leadership.

“As we moved around the constituency, we saw the reactions of the people. They are happy with the new development and the emergence of a new leader of the APC in the state,” Dange said.

“Governor Fubara’s leadership has further united the APC family. The party is getting stronger in Rivers State because it now has a leader with focus and direction,” he added.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Delegate Congress and Party Primary Committee for Ahoada East State Constituency II, Smart Iheanazor, attributed the enthusiasm recorded during the exercise to the trust party members have in the governor.

Iheanazor said participants openly expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid while taking part in the congress.

“Most importantly, while they were chanting ‘Renewed Hope’ in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, there was no doubt about their commitment. The entire Ahoada area turned out massively,” he said.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Congress and Primary Committee for Khana State Constituency II, Ayoala Peter, said the level of participation showed that the APC was well-positioned for victory in the forthcoming bye-elections and the 2027 general elections.

“Despite the distance between wards and the time it took to reach some of them, party members waited eagerly. We saw their happiness and willingness to participate in the process,” he said.

Earlier, ward congresses were held in both constituencies to elect delegates who will vote in the APC primaries ahead of the bye-elections.

In Ahoada East State Constituency II, the congress was conducted under the supervision of the committee chaired by Dange, with Iheanazor as secretary, and was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and members of the party’s appeal committee. The exercise was conducted using a voice vote system.

In Khana State Constituency II, delegates were elected through an open ballot system, also under the supervision of party officials, with INEC and security agencies monitoring the process.

Five delegates were elected from each ward in the two constituencies and will participate in the APC primaries to select the party’s candidates for the February 21 House of Assembly bye-elections.