Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Fubara announced his decision on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
The defection comes at a time when the PDP is struggling with internal divisions, including the suspension of the Governor’s political godfather and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and some of his loyalists by the party’s national leadership.
Speaking at the meeting, Fubara said his decision to join the APC was driven by loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, who he said has consistently supported his administration since the Rivers political crisis erupted in late 2023.
“We can’t support Mr President if we don’t fully identify with him; not backyard support,” he said.
“So, we have taken that decision today since we have gotten a pass. Everyone here, who followed and suffered with me, our decision today [is that] we are moving to APC.”
He described the move as a “gesture of reciprocity” for what he termed the encouragement and cooperation he has enjoyed from the President, particularly at the height of the political standoff between his camp and the faction loyal to Minister Wike.
The Governor’s defection follows the exit of lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly. Last week, 15 members of the Assembly, including the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, defected to the APC. Their defection was preceded by that of two other lawmakers, bringing the total number of defectors to 17.
Mr Fubara’s departure leaves the PDP with six serving governors: Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
There are reports that Governors Agbu Kefas and Caleb Mutfwang are also preparing to join the APC, a move that could further weaken the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC now controls 25 states.
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