Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending months of speculation about his political future.
Fubara announced his decision on Tuesday while addressing stakeholders at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
His move comes less than 72 hours after 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, also resigned from the PDP and defected to the APC.
Speaking at the meeting, Fubara told his audience that he had “good news” and confirmed he met with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday to brief him on the situation in the state.
After praising President Tinubu for his support during the recent political crisis in Rivers State, the governor said it was “better for us to move from where we are to where it is better for Rivers State.”
He added that the state had the numbers and political strength to take the step into the APC.
Part of the peace process earlier facilitated by President Tinubu between Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, reportedly included a possible defection by the governor—an issue that had drawn public attention for months.
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Political observers were unsurprised by the announcement, noting that Fubara had not openly supported PDP governors who challenged the federal government’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State between March 18 and September 18, which led to the suspension of the governor, his deputy and the 32-member House of Assembly.
Fubara’s defection means the APC now controls all six states in the South-South zone, raising concerns among analysts about a possible drift toward a one-party structure at the national level.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Robinson Ewor, told Vanguard earlier that he would not be leaving the party with the governor.
“He has the right to choose where he wants to belong. But if he leaves the PDP today, I will not follow him anywhere,” Ewor said.