PORT HARCOURT – The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara to defect to the party as the state prepares for a return to democratic governance this week.

The appeal was made by the APC spokesperson in Rivers, Darlington Nwauju, during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday.

“If I were the governor of Rivers State, on my return on Thursday, I would announce my defection to the All Progressives Congress,” Nwauju said. “We would gladly welcome him into our party.”

Responding to a question on whether Fubara would lead the APC in the state if he defected, Nwauju said it was automatic.

“By the convention of our party, if he joins the APC, he becomes the leader of the party,” he stated.

Nwauju also commented on the tenure of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), who has overseen the state during the six-month emergency rule. He noted that the APC has not formally demanded an account of his stewardship, stressing that the responsibility rests with the House of Representatives committee supervising the period.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu and Governor Fubara are expected to return to the country on Tuesday ahead of Thursday’s handover ceremony. Tinubu, who had been on vacation in France and the UK since September 4, cut his trip short and will arrive in Abuja, while Fubara is due back from London.

The handover will officially end emergency rule in Rivers State and restore democratic administration.