Ahead of the 2027 general elections, political realignments in Rivers State have gathered fresh momentum as Dr. Sokonte Davies, a former member of the House of Representatives and ex-political ally of former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, officially dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to rejoin the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Davies announced his return to the ruling party on Thursday morning, October 8, 2026, during the official release of a statement in Port Harcourt titled “Return to the Progressive Family: My Decision to Rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC)”.
In the official declaration released on Thursday, Dr. Davies explained that his decision was reached following months of deep reflection, patriotic conviction, and consultation with key stakeholders.
”After extensive consultation with my family, political associates, constituents, and elders, and following the cessation of my membership of the African Democratic Congress recently, I hereby announce my decision to return to the All Progressives Congress, a party in which I was privileged to be a foundational member,” Davies stated.
He characterized his return to the APC fold as a “homecoming,” reaffirming his faith in the progressive values of the party, grassroots development, national unity, and the political stabilization of Rivers State.
He added that the decision was heavily influenced by a desire to contribute toward the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and strengthen the party structure across ward, local government, state, and national levels.
Davies also publicly expressed gratitude to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, for a warm reception into the political alliance, as well as the APC National Vice Chairman (South-South), Chief Victor Giadom, for facilitating his seamless integration back into the party structure.
Reacting to the defection, the Rivers State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) issued a press statement on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, signed by the state party spokesperson, Chizy Enyi, Esq..
Titled “Sokonte Davies and the Search for a Governorship Ticket in a Coalition Without One,” the ADC took a jab at Davies’ move, suggesting his departure was rooted in his failure to secure the party’s governorship primary ticket.
”We confess that we are struggling to follow the mathematics,” Enyi stated on behalf of the party. “If the grievance was about not getting a governorship ticket in the ADC, one would have expected the next destination to be somewhere a governorship ticket was actually available. Instead, our brother has found comfort under a political rainbow.
The ADC bears Dr. Davies no ill will. Politics is a matter of choice, and he is entitled to make his. We only hope that when the excitement of the new photographs and handshakes settles, he finds whatever political fulfillment he could not find after the ADC primary”.
Dr. Sokonte Davies formerly served as the Executive Director of Marine and Operations at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and was long considered one of Rotimi Amaechi’s key strategists in Rivers State before their political rift led him to join the ADC, where he served as National Secretary of the party’s Membership Revalidation Committee.
His return to the APC, and his explicit alignment with political structures backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and APC South-South leadership, signals another strategic shift in the complex political landscape of Rivers State as the major political actors gear up for the 2027 elections.
