Governor Fubara formally announced his defection to APC at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt — ending his long affiliation with PDP.
Explaining the move, he said the defection was necessitated by a perceived lack of protection and support from PDP for Rivers State. He claimed that his decision stems from a desire to secure his mandate and ensure stability for the people of the state.
Fubara added it was only after a recent meeting with President Tinubu that he felt confident enough to make the switch suggesting that the federal government’s backing played a role in his decision.
State and national political watchers describe the move as a seismic shift. Rivers long considered a stronghold of PDP, especially in the oil-rich South-South now has its first APC governor. Combined with earlier defections of state lawmakers, this signals a near-total collapse of the PDP’s dominance in the state.
Supporters of Fubara say the defection could lead to renewed stability in Rivers, more federal cooperation, and smoother governance but critics warn it may deepen divisions and feed perceptions of politics driven by power rather than principle.
