Uyo, Akwa Ibom – Saturday, June 21, 2025 — Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that the governors of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, are likely to be the next to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as momentum builds within the ruling party across the South-South region.
Akpabio made the bold prediction during a high-profile reception ceremony held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. The event was organized to officially welcome Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State into the APC, following his recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The grand reception attracted notable political heavyweights, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as several APC governors, senators, and party chieftains.
Speaking to the large crowd, Akpabio, a former Akwa Ibom governor, described the defection as more than a political move — calling it a “reunification of Akwa Ibom with Nigeria.”
“Today is not just about Governor Umo Eno joining APC. It is a movement. It is a statement that the South-South is aligning with the center,” Akpabio said.
He went on to appreciate Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, who recently defected to the APC, saying the trend signaled that the political tide in the South-South was shifting in favor of the ruling party.
“Governor Sheriff of Delta, thank you for joining the progressives’ family and moving the South-South in the progressives’ direction,” he said.
Akpabio then hinted at future defections, stating:
“Governor Umo Eno, after you, who knows? Rivers State will tumble. After Rivers, Bayelsa will join. Of course, we have won the election in Edo State. We produced our amiable senator, Monday Okpebholo.”
Currently, the APC controls four out of the six South-South states — Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta — leaving only Rivers and Bayelsa under PDP governance.
Akpabio also made a bold forecast for the 2027 general elections, asserting that the South-South will unite behind President Bola Tinubu.
“Come 2027, South-South will go one way. The South-South will vote for President Bola Tinubu. I see the president getting 99.9 percent votes in 2027,” he said confidently.
He praised Governor Eno for what he described as a courageous decision, and also hinted that Eno could become the first Akwa Ibom governor to be re-elected under APC, noting the political alignment would bring growth and development to the state.
The APC’s recent gains in the South-South come amid a series of high-level defections from the PDP, raising concerns within the opposition party about its future influence in the region — traditionally considered a PDP stronghold.
