iDeemlawfulGovernor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He made the announcement during a stakeholders meeting held at the government house in Port Harcourt.
Recall that Fubara met with President Bola Tinubu on Monday at the State House, Abuja, in a closed-door session.
According to a video circulated online, Fubara was seen walking through the corridors toward the President’s office at 5:01 p.m., dressed in a deep-blue long-sleeve shirt, black trousers and a black flat cap.
His visit followed growing speculation that he might exit the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress amid renewed political tension in the state.
Fubara formally declared his defection at the stakeholders meeting held at the government house in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The governor said, “We can’t support President (Tinubu) if we don’t fully identify with him, not just backyard support. Our decision this evening is that we are moving to the APC.”
He now joins Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah; and his Bayelsa counterpart, Duoye Siri, who all left the PDP.
Recall that on March 18, Tinubu announced a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for six months due to rising political tensions in the oil-rich South South state.
Tinubu said the measure was taken to stabilise the state, which had been facing political unrest caused by disagreements between the governor and state lawmakers.
Following the declaration, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, who has since been named an ambassador, as the administrator to manage the state’s affairs.
Six months later, Fubara returned to office and promised to pursue peace and reconciliation across the state.
Fubara, in a statewide address, described the emergency rule as extremely difficult but necessary to maintain order and protect institutions of governance.
He said that, as governor, he accepted the declaration and worked with President Tinubu and the National Assembly, placing peace above personal or political benefit.
“I resisted pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the emergency declaration, suspension of democratic structures, and other measures taken during the turbulent period,” he said.
Fubara further noted that after the President intervened to reconcile the feuding parties, he, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and the Rivers State House of Assembly agreed to prioritise peace.
According to the governor, the reconciliation was accepted for the sake of Rivers people and the advancement of the state.
