Senate President Godswill Akpabio has hinted that Rivers and Bayelsa states may soon join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as the party intensifies efforts to dominate the South-South region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akpabio made the statement on Saturday during a grand reception held in Uyo to officially welcome Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State into the APC.
Speaking at the event, Akpabio praised the recent wave of defections to the APC, saying:
“Governor Sheriff of Delta State, thank you for joining the progressive family and moving the South-South in a progressive direction. Governor Umo Eno, after you, Rivers State will just tumble, after Rivers State, Bayelsa will join.”
He also congratulated Monday Okpebholo on his emergence as governor in Edo State, declaring:
“We won election with Governor Otu in Edo State and we produced an amiable Monday Okpebholo, congratulations once again for your victory.”
Governor Eno, who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), blamed internal party crises for his defection. He officially joined the APC on June 6 at a well-attended event in the Akwa Ibom State capital, Uyo.
Several chieftains of the ruling party and members of the Progressive Governors Forum were present at the reception.
