Governor Fubara defects from PDP to APC, cites Tinubu’s role in political survival

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Tuesday formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending months of speculation over his political future and widening the fractures within the state’s political establishment.

Mr Fubara announced his defection during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt, framing the move as an expression of loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, whom he credited with preventing his removal during the height of the state’s political crisis

.“The reason why we are still standing is because of that place, and the truth is, without Mr President, there wouldn’t be any His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara; it would have been the former governor,” he said.“So, we have every reason because the truth, let nobody be fooled in this state, we have the people, we have the supporters. Our only thank-you to Mr President is to support him, and we cannot support the President in isolation.”Mr Fubara said aligning fully with the APC was the only way to demonstrate genuine support for Mr Tinubu.

“We cannot support the President if we don’t fully identify with him, not backyard support. So, we have taken that decision today since we have gotten the pass. Everyone here who had followed me, who had suffered with me, our decision today, this evening, we are moving to APC,” he declared.

Pressure after mass defections in Rivers Assembly

The governor’s move came just four days after the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 17 other lawmakers defected from the PDP to the APC on 5 December, citing internal disputes.Those who left the PDP alongside Mr Amaewhule were Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol (Gokana), Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), Linda Stewart (Okrika), Franklin Nwabochi (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Azeru Opara (Port Harcourt 3), Smart Adoki (Port Harcourt 2), Enemi George (Asari-Toru 2), and Solomon Wami (Port Harcourt 1).Others included Igwe Aforji (Eleme), Tekena Wellington (Asari-Toru 1), Looloo Opuende (Akuku-Toru 2), Peter Abbey (Degema), Arnold Dennis (Ogu/Bolo), Chimezie Nwankwo (Etche), Gerald Oforji (Oyigbo) and Ofiks Kabang (Andoni).

Their defection further weakened the PDP’s hold on the state and intensified pressure on the governor, who had been locked in a prolonged power tussle stemming from a breakdown in relations with his political mentor and predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

A shifting political landscape

The oil-rich South-South region has historically been a stronghold of the PDP since the return of democracy in 1999. But the party’s loss of the presidency in 2015 triggered a wave of realignments that has seen major political figures defect to the ruling APC.

Until Tuesday, Mr Fubara was the only PDP governor left in the South-South. His exit follows similar moves by governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, who defected to the APC in April and June, respectively.

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa also left the PDP in November.Mr Fubara’s defection completes the sweep of PDP governors in the region and significantly alters the national political map ahead of future electoral cycles. With Rivers—one of Nigeria’s most politically strategic and economically significant states—now aligned with the APC, analysts say the ruling party is consolidating its influence in a region once dominated by its main rival.The PDP has yet to formally respond to the governor’s exit.