In a situation where political alignment and loyalty are often sources of intense debate, the recent move by Rivers State's Governor Siminalayi Fubara has sparked significant controversy and concern. Many believe that his decision to associate himself with a particular faction within the All Progressives Congress (APC) could put his safety and political future at risk. But here's where it gets controversial: some experts argue that this allegiance might be more about strategic positioning than genuine party loyalty, raising questions about the true stability of his political stance.
Former APC gubernatorial hopeful in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has openly expressed his doubts about Fubara’s recent political shift. During a candid interview on Channels Television, Cole emphasized that the current leadership of the party in Rivers is still firmly under the control of a faction led by Emeka Beke. According to Cole, this faction is the legitimate authority within the APC in Rivers State.
The backdrop to this controversy is Fubara's switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in December 2025 — a move that was publicly endorsed by the national APC leadership. Following his move, he was officially given an APC membership card by Tony Okocha, a prominent figure leading a faction within the party in Rivers.
However, Cole has criticized Fubara’s decision to associate with the Okocha faction, describing it as a poor political choice. His position is that Fubara cannot be considered a genuine or lawful member of the APC in Rivers until he officially joins and recognizes the Beke-led faction. Simply put, Cole argues that Fubara's current affiliation with Okocha's group is not legally recognized and therefore doesn’t hold much weight within the party’s formal structures.
Cole explained, "Who is actually welcoming Fubara into the APC? Who is the one issuing him the membership card? Under which recognized body is he registered? The truth is, Tony Okocha's faction isn’t officially recognized by the party, and that’s where the problem lies. Even though the party nationally recognizes Fubara as an APC member, the faction that claims to support him is not officially acknowledged." he pointed out.
He further clarified that the APC itself remains open to recognizing Fubara as a member once he aligns with the truly legitimate Beke-led faction. "We are willing to accept and welcome him into the fold, but only because we have the legal authority to do so. Right now, he is not safe where he is, politically speaking, because his current faction isn’t recognized legally," Cole warned.
Finally, Cole issued a stern caution to the party, warning against the kind of crisis seen in the 2019 elections when courts barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing some APC candidates in Rivers State. He emphasized that such legal complications could cause serious setbacks if not carefully managed.
And this is the part most people miss — in the realm of party politics, legal recognition isn’t just a formality; it’s the backbone of political stability. So, the question remains: Should a politician’s loyalty to a faction be based solely on who issues the membership card? Or does true allegiance require formal recognition? What do you think? Is Fubara's current association a calculated risk, or could it jeopardize his political safety? Share your thoughts and opinions below — this debate is far from over.
