Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing lack of protection and support from his former party during the political crisis in the state.
The governor announced his defection on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt, where he was joined by key allies and supporters who also switched to the ruling party.
Fubara said the decision became necessary after months of political turmoil in Rivers State, claiming the PDP abandoned him when he needed the party most. According to him, the party’s silence and inaction emboldened forces working against his administration.
He explained that his recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja provided the assurance he needed to move forward, noting that the President had consistently supported peace and stability in the state.
“We can’t support Mr President if we don’t fully identify with him. The PDP failed to protect me when it mattered most. Today, we are moving to the APC,” Fubara declared.
His defection comes just days after 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to him also left the PDP for the APC, signalling a major political realignment in the state.
Meanwhile, the PDP has reacted to the development, saying Fubara should take responsibility for his choice rather than blaming the party. The opposition party insisted that he “willingly travelled this path” and had long shown signs of abandoning the PDP.
Fubara’s move is expected to significantly shift the political balance in Rivers State, once considered a stronghold of the PDP, and further strengthen the APC’s presence in the South-South region ahead of future elections.
