BREAKING: Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara Dumps PDP For APC

Fubara’s defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Rivers State, a South-South state traditionally considered a stronghold of the PDP.

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor reportedly announced his defection on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Fubara’s defection marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Rivers State, a South-South state traditionally considered a stronghold of the PDP.

It is also expected to have wider implications for party alignments and power dynamics ahead of future elections.

SaharaReporters reported that on Saturday, December 6, that Fubara said that he was still serving as a governor of the state after the six-month emergency rule period because of the “special favour” of President Bola Tinubu.

Fubara made the remarks at the combined 37th and 38th convocation ceremony of the Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu-Oroworukwu, Port Harcourt, where he reiterated his administration’s commitment to fully funding the institution and supporting its staff and students.

Addressing concerns raised by the university management, the governor said the challenges were a consequence of the political instability that affected the state earlier in his administration, according to The PUNCH.

“Like you said, a report was given to us. But you all know what happened in the life of our administration,” Fubara said.

“It is only by the special grace of God, the special favour from Mr President, that we are standing here still as the ones presiding over the affairs of Rivers State.”

He assured stakeholders that his government had resumed full administrative responsibility and would address all issues presented during the ceremony.

Rivers State was plunged into months of political turmoil following the bitter rift between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, leading to a series of institutional standoffs, legislative defections, parallel assemblies, and clashes between rival political structures.

The deepening crisis prompted the Federal Government to impose a six-month emergency rule to stabilise governance, suspend rival legislative activities, and prevent a breakdown of law and order.

During this period, key aspects of state administration were overseen by federal authorities, with many state-level decisions put on hold.

Fubara’s eventual return to full executive powers was widely viewed as the outcome of negotiations facilitated by President Tinubu, who intervened repeatedly to de-escalate tensions between the factions.

It was against this backdrop that Fubara acknowledged the President's role, stating that his continued tenure was not guaranteed without high-level intervention.

Last Friday, no fewer than 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker of the assembly, Martin Amaewhule, had dumped the PDP for the ruling APC.

The defection by the lawmakers loyal to the former governor of the state and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wike, validated an exclusive report earlier published by SaharaReporters.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that fresh political intrigues were unfolding in the state as Wike was losing ground with President Tinubu amid mounting pressure from both domestic and international stakeholders.

Sources close to the Presidency indicated that Tinubu’s inner circle had grown increasingly wary of Wike, who has faced a string of controversies since joining the federal cabinet.