Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement, made on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt, marks a pivotal moment in the state’s political trajectory and signals a major realignment in the region’s power structure.

Governor Fubara explained that his decision was driven by his desire to fully align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that partial or symbolic support would no longer suffice. He stated, “We can’t support President Tinubu if we don’t fully identify with him, not just the backyard support.” He went on to rally his supporters, declaring, “Everyone who has followed and suffered with me, the decision this evening is that we are moving to the APC.”

This move follows Fubara’s visit to President Tinubu at the State House in Abuja a day earlier, where he reportedly informed the President of his impending defection and sought what he described as broader “state interest consultation.”

The governor expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu, crediting him with the restoration of his administration after a challenging six-month suspension. He emphasized that his appreciation was directed solely at President Tinubu and the people of Rivers State. Fubara asserted that “without Mr. President, there won’t be any ‘His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara.’ It would have been former governor.” He added that he intends to work closely with his loyal supporters without external interference, stating that he has both the full backing and “positive reason to leave where we are because we didn’t get any protection.”

Fubara’s defection adds to the growing list of governors who have recently crossed over to the APC, highlighting a broader trend in Nigerian politics marked by shifting loyalties and strategic repositioning. Locally, the move comes shortly after 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly also abandoned the PDP for the APC, citing divisions within the leadership of their former party at the national level.

This development is yet another major chapter in Rivers State’s turbulent political history. Earlier this year, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state following escalating tensions between Governor Fubara and members of the state House of Assembly. The crisis led to the suspension of Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Assembly for six months. During that period, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas—now an ambassador—was appointed as the state’s administrator. Upon returning to office after completing the suspension, Governor Fubara described the emergency rule as a difficult but necessary intervention to restore order, pledging to pursue peace and reconciliation across the state.

Concluding his announcement, Governor Fubara thanked his supporters for their loyalty and confidence. He assured them, “I’ve not let you down before. I’m not going to let you down now.” He reiterated his commitment to President Tinubu and expressed certainty in the backing of Rivers people, stating, “We are the ones that will give that support, and we will give that support with a loud ovation because we know that the people of Rivers State are with us.”