Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being largely responsible for the political turmoil he endured during the prolonged crisis that rocked the oil-rich state, insisting that his eventual departure from the party was both inevitable and liberating.
Recall that Rivers State was gripped by intense political tension following a bitter power struggle between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The conflict centered on the control of the PDP’s structure and internal affairs in the state, leading to deep divisions within the party and governance disruptions.
In an effort to restore stability, President Bola Tinubu intervened by suspending both Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. Following the expiration of the suspension, Fubara was reinstated in September. The political realignment in the state later gathered momentum when the governor formally defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. His move came shortly after several lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly also joined the ruling party.
Speaking with journalists at the APC national headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Governor Fubara said his decision to join the APC was driven by conviction rather than convenience. He described himself as a progressive by ideology, even before his formal entry into the ruling party, and pledged to work toward unity and cohesion within the APC in Rivers State.
According to the governor, the PDP failed him during the height of the crisis, leaving him isolated and unsupported. He argued that the party’s actions and inactions accounted for the bulk of the difficulties he faced, adding that his membership of the PDP was largely symbolic.
“When people say I am a new member of the progressive family, that is true, but in my heart, I have always been a progressive,” Fubara said. “Now we have a clear direction. Before, we lacked proper leadership within the party structure in the state. As a member now, I will bring everyone together to ensure unity and progress. There is no cause for concern—we now have a sense of direction.”
He further described his defection as one of the simplest decisions he had ever made, explaining that it was motivated by gratitude and a desire to collaborate with like-minded leaders.
“My transition was very easy. Saying thank you is easy. Showing appreciation and gratitude is not difficult,” he said. “Joining the APC is my way of thanking Mr President and partnering with other progressives to develop Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole. For anyone who understands my journey, this decision will not come as a surprise.”
Reflecting on his time in the PDP, Fubara questioned whether he truly belonged to the party in any meaningful sense. He claimed that during the crisis, he was neither embraced nor defended by the party’s leadership.
“To be honest, was I really a member of the PDP? I wasn’t,” he stated. “Ninety percent of what I suffered during the crisis was imposed by the party. I was only a nominal member. During that period, I was not aligned with any faction. I was neither inside the house nor fully outside—I was on the balcony.”
Governor Fubara’s defection marks a major political shift in Rivers State and is expected to reshape power dynamics ahead of future political engagements, as he positions himself as a key figure within the APC and reiterates his commitment to governance and development.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being largely responsible for the political turmoil he endured during the prolonged crisis that rocked the oil-rich state, insisting that his eventual departure from the party was both inevitable and liberating.
Recall that Rivers State was gripped by intense political tension following a bitter power struggle between Governor Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. The conflict centered on the control of the PDP’s structure and internal affairs in the state, leading to deep divisions within the party and governance disruptions.
In an effort to restore stability, President Bola Tinubu intervened by suspending both Governor Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months. Following the expiration of the suspension, Fubara was reinstated in September. The political realignment in the state later gathered momentum when the governor formally defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. His move came shortly after several lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly also joined the ruling party.
Speaking with journalists at the APC national headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Governor Fubara said his decision to join the APC was driven by conviction rather than convenience. He described himself as a progressive by ideology, even before his formal entry into the ruling party, and pledged to work toward unity and cohesion within the APC in Rivers State.
According to the governor, the PDP failed him during the height of the crisis, leaving him isolated and unsupported. He argued that the party’s actions and inactions accounted for the bulk of the difficulties he faced, adding that his membership of the PDP was largely symbolic.
“When people say I am a new member of the progressive family, that is true, but in my heart, I have always been a progressive,” Fubara said. “Now we have a clear direction. Before, we lacked proper leadership within the party structure in the state. As a member now, I will bring everyone together to ensure unity and progress. There is no cause for concern—we now have a sense of direction.”
He further described his defection as one of the simplest decisions he had ever made, explaining that it was motivated by gratitude and a desire to collaborate with like-minded leaders.
“My transition was very easy. Saying thank you is easy. Showing appreciation and gratitude is not difficult,” he said. “Joining the APC is my way of thanking Mr President and partnering with other progressives to develop Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole. For anyone who understands my journey, this decision will not come as a surprise.”
Reflecting on his time in the PDP, Fubara questioned whether he truly belonged to the party in any meaningful sense. He claimed that during the crisis, he was neither embraced nor defended by the party’s leadership.
“To be honest, was I really a member of the PDP? I wasn’t,” he stated. “Ninety percent of what I suffered during the crisis was imposed by the party. I was only a nominal member. During that period, I was not aligned with any faction. I was neither inside the house nor fully outside—I was on the balcony.”
Governor Fubara’s defection marks a major political shift in Rivers State and is expected to reshape power dynamics ahead of future political engagements, as he positions himself as a key figure within the APC and reiterates his commitment to governance and development.
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