The State Assembly Forum (ASAF) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara to grant Nyesom Wike’s request to leave the state amid rumours that he may have made plans to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.

The Forum claims that, in light of his rumoured decision to defect to the APC and focus more on running the oil-rich state, Governor Fubara should let his predecessor decide on his next political endeavour.

Amb. Fubara Dagogo, the Director General of the APC State Assembly Forum (ASAF), said in a statement released yesterday in Abuja that the APC would be ready to accept Wike into its fold and benefit from his vast political and administrative experience.

Dagogo, who urged governor Fubara not to discourage Wike from joining the APC, claimed that he, as the current governor, would benefit the most from Wike’s membership in the party. He also said that, in light of the model way that Wike managed the affairs of Rivers State, he would not forsake or fail to give Governor Fubara the guidance he needs to succeed in running the state.

“While Fubara should concentrate on moving Rivers State forward from the admirable state Wike has left it, his continuous consultation of his predecessor, even in APC, will be of enormous help to him,” Dagogo advised.

“The ex-governor Wike’s network and experience in leading Rivers state will be more enlightening if he finally joins and reflects such at the centre with the ruling APC; the party will be ready and happy to receive him in its fold to join in the difficult task of taking Nigeria to greater heights,”

The governor said he continuously needs the advice and support of the former governor to advance Rivers State during a reception for Wike at his Rumuepikom town in the Obio Akpor local government area of Rivers State.