Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that signals a major realignment in the South-South political landscape.
Fubara announced his decision on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt. He joins other South-South governors who recently left the PDP, including Delta’s Sheriff Oborevwori, Akwa Ibom’s Umo Eno, Enugu’s Peter Mbah and Bayelsa’s Douye Diri.
Justifying his move, Fubara said it had become necessary to openly and effectively support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We can’t support President Tinubu from the backyard,” he declared. “Everyone who has followed and suffered with me knows the decision we have taken today — we are moving to the APC.”
The announcement came barely 24 hours after he visited President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he held a private meeting with the President.
Fubara’s defection also comes months after Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, suspending the governor, his deputy and all state lawmakers for six months amid a fierce political crisis between the executive and the House of Assembly.
During the emergency rule, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas — now an ambassador — as administrator of the state. Fubara later returned to office, pledging to restore peace and rebuild political stability.
In a statewide broadcast, the governor described the emergency period as challenging but necessary to protect democratic institutions. He said he chose not to challenge the constitutionality of the measures imposed, instead prioritising peace over confrontation.
After Tinubu intervened in the crisis, Fubara, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly agreed to reconcile in the interest of peace and development.
Fubara said the latest political alignment—his move to the APC—was taken in the best interest of Rivers people and to ensure continued progress in the state.
