Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara Dumps PDP, officially defects to APC

In a dramatic political move on Tuesday, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State formally announced his departure from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and his decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection was declared during a stakeholders meeting held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, a moment that marks a substantial reshaping of the political landscape in Rivers State.

Fubara told journalists that the decision followed a Monday consultation with President Bola Tinubu, which he described as a strategic step taken in the interest of state stability. He emphasised that the move was not personal, but driven by what he called “state-interest consultation.”

He stated pointedly: “We can’t support Mr President if we don’t fully identify with him; not backyard support.” The governor said his administration has received continuous cooperation and encouragement from the federal level; a factor he said necessitated the defection.

According to Fubara, the PDP had failed to provide protection or the necessary support during recent political turbulence, leaving him no choice but to realign. He insisted that those who stood with him amid the storm now had a “new place” in APC.

He assured his supporters that formal defection procedures would begin immediately, affirming: “I have not let you down before, and I will not let you down now.”

The defection of Fubara is not occurring in isolation. Just days before his announcement, 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, including the Speaker officially defected from PDP to APC.

Fubara’s move can be seen as a consolidation of power under the ruling federal party, a step that is likely to shift the power balance in Rivers State and reinforce the central government’s influence in the region.

For the PDP, this defection delivers a heavy blow. Once one of the dominant parties in the South-South region, the party now risks weakening further with the departure of a sitting governor.

The defection will trigger formal procedures, including the submission of Fubara’s APC membership documents and recognition by party authorities, either at the state or national level.