Rivers State Governor, Similaye Fubara, who recently announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC), has said his decision to move to the ruling party was to support President Tinubu.
Recall that Fubara on Monday, December 8, 2025, met with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, in a closed-door meeting.
According to a video shared online, Fubara was spotted 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.
Fubara announced his defection at a stakeholders meeting held at the government house in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
In the video announcing his defection, Fubara 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 joined Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah; and his Bayelsa counterpart, Duoye Siri, all of whom defected from the opposition PDP.
Recall that on March 18, Tinubu declared 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 over political tension in the oil-rich South South state.
According to Tinubu, the decision was taken to restore stability in the state that has been witnessing political turmoil as a result of the disagreement between the state governor and the state lawmakers.
Following the declaration, the President appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, who has now been appointed an ambassador, as the state’s administrator to oversee governance.
Six months later, Fubara resumed office and pledged to restore peace and reconciliation in the state.
Fubara, in a statewide broadcast, described the period (emergency rule) as enormously challenging but necessary to restore order and safeguard democratic institutions.
He said that, as governor, he chose to abide by the declaration and to co-operate fully with President Tinubu and the National Assembly, prioritising peace above personal or political gain.
“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 also added that the President brokered peace among the warring parties, he, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and the Rivers State House of Assembly later resolved to let peace reign.
According to the governor, the reconciliation was embraced in the best interest of Rivers’ people and for the progress of the state.
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