Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking one of the most consequential political shifts in the state’s recent history. The announcement was reportedly made on Tuesday during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt, signalling a turning point in the long-running crisis that has gripped the state for months.
Fubara’s defection represents a dramatic transformation in the political dynamics of Rivers State, a key South-South state that has been a bastion of the PDP since 1999. His move to the APC is expected to reshuffle political alliances, deepen existing tensions, and reshape preparations ahead of forthcoming elections in the region.
The development comes on the heels of Governor Fubara’s public remarks acknowledging that he remained in office after a turbulent six-month emergency rule period due to what he described as the “special favour” of President Bola Tinubu. Speaking last Saturday at the combined 37th and 38th convocation ceremony of Rivers State University in Port Harcourt, the governor stated that the survival of his administration was the result of high-level federal intervention.
“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,” Fubara said, while addressing the audience at the university event. He attributed the administrative lapses experienced during the period to the political instability that engulfed the state earlier in his tenure.
The crisis began as a fierce political battle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Their rift spiralled into a full-blown confrontation that split the state’s political structures down the middle, leading to parallel legislative bodies, mass defections, violent clashes between loyalists, and a near-collapse of governance. The deepening conflict prompted the Federal Government to impose a six-month emergency rule aimed at restoring order, suspending the activities of rival assemblies, and halting the deterioration of public administration.
During the emergency rule, many core functions of the state were temporarily placed under federal oversight. The power struggle rendered state institutions largely immobile, with major projects stalled and routine governance disrupted. It took repeated interventions by President Tinubu and negotiations among key political stakeholders to gradually restore stability. Fubara’s return to full executive authority was widely viewed as a negotiated settlement facilitated by the Presidency to prevent further deterioration.
Against this backdrop, the governor’s defection to the APC now appears to be a culmination of months of political realignment, negotiations, and shifting loyalties. His move follows the mass defection of 16 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly last Friday. Led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the lawmakers—who are staunch loyalists of former governor Wike—dumped the PDP for the APC, validating earlier reports that the collapse of the governing coalition was imminent.
Sources within the Presidency revealed that Wike’s influence within the Tinubu administration has been waning in recent months, owing to intensifying pressure from domestic and international actors concerned about the frequent controversies that have followed his tenure as FCT Minister. Reports suggest that President Tinubu’s inner circle has increasingly viewed Wike as a political liability, especially amid criticisms over his handling of the FCT, internal party clashes, and his central role in the Rivers State crisis.
Political analysts say Fubara’s defection may have further weakened Wike’s grip on Rivers politics. Having built a formidable political structure in the state during his eight years as governor, Wike has long been regarded as the dominant figure in Rivers political affairs. However, the unfolding developments indicate a significant shift in power dynamics, with Fubara consolidating his own political base while aligning with the ruling party at the centre.
Fubara’s decision to join the APC is expected to reshape party loyalties not only in Rivers State but across the South-South geopolitical zone, where the PDP has traditionally held sway. Observers note that with the governor, a significant bloc of political appointees, local government chairmen, and grassroots supporters may also shift allegiance in the coming weeks.
The governor has assured stakeholders within the state’s educational, economic, and administrative sectors that his government is now fully functional and committed to addressing the backlog of issues arising from the prolonged political standoff. Speaking at the Rivers State University convocation, he pledged unwavering support for the institution and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to restoring normalcy across all sectors.
“We have resumed full administrative responsibility, and we will ensure that every concern raised is promptly addressed,” Fubara said, promising that the state’s institutions would feel the effect of stable leadership once again.
Meanwhile, the PDP is expected to respond formally to the governor’s defection in the coming days, with insiders hinting at internal tensions and possible moves to reorganize the party’s leadership in the state. The APC, on the other hand, is likely to celebrate the defection as a major breakthrough, particularly in its efforts to expand influence in the South-South region.
As the political scene in Rivers State continues to evolve, stakeholders across the nation will be watching closely to see how this realignment influences governance, party strength, and electoral strategies ahead of the next general elections. One thing remains clear: Governor Fubara’s move to the APC is not only historic but also a major turning point in the political realities of Rivers State and the broader national landscape.
