By Amofokhai Williams
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 triggered by the protracted political feud that has unsettled the state.
Fubara announced his defection during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, where he declared that the PDP had failed to protect him at the height of the crisis that engulfed his administration.
The governor’s decision followed a marathon of political confrontations, including an impeachment attempt by lawmakers aligned with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
The crisis fractured the PDP structure in the state and raised questions about the governor’s political survival. Fubara said his move to the APC was driven by the need for stability and alignment with partners committed to “Rivers progress”.
Sources indicated that the defection was sealed after a private meeting between Fubara and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, a visit widely interpreted as a signal of his imminent shift to the ruling party.
His departure from the PDP marks a significant realignment in the politics of one of Nigeria’s most strategic oil-producing states.
Analysts say the development could reshape alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections, especially given the APC’s renewed interest in securing strong footholds in the South–South.
Early reactions described the defection as a “major political earthquake” that could weaken the PDP’s dominance in Rivers.
Political observers also note that Fubara’s move may consolidate his control of the state’s political machinery while altering the calculations of key actors previously loyal to Wike.
While the PDP has yet to issue a formal statement, party insiders admit the governor’s exit could trigger further defections as both camps continue to jostle for influence.
Meanwhile, APC leaders in the state have begun preparations to formally welcome Fubara and his supporters into the party’s structure.
Fubara’s defection marks a turning point in Rivers politics and sets the stage for a new phase of political contestation as the state approaches the next electoral cycle.
