Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He announced this at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt today.
Fubara’s move comes after 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, defected to the APC on December 5.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has joined the ranks of former PDP governors who have defected to the APC. He’s now the latest to make the switch, following in the footsteps of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah; and Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Siri, all of whom left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC)
Speaking at the meeting, the governor said, “We can’t support President (Tinubu) if we don’t fully identify with him, not just the backyard support.
“So we have taken that decision here today that everyone who has followed and suffered with me, the decision this evening is that we are moving to the APC.”
Also see: Rivers PDP Dismisses Speculation of Fubara’s Defection to APC
The governor had met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, and it’s believed that this meeting played a significant role in his decision to join the APC. Although the details of the meeting were not disclosed.
Recall that during the emergency period, at least 11 PDP governors had challenged the federal government in court, seeking to overturn the decision, which many Nigerians described as unconstitutional. Also, reports had earlier suggested that one of the conditions in the peace pact allegedly signed by Fubara in June was his defection to the APC.
Despite these claims, PDP state chairman, Ewor had maintained that the PDP in Rivers remains focused and unconcerned about rumours, stressing that the party will continue to safeguard the interest of the people.
Fubara’s defection now means that all six states in the South-South geopolitical zone are controlled by the APC, heightening public concern among some observers that Nigeria could be drifting towards a one-party system.
