Rivers Governor Fubara Dumps PDP, Joins APC

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has formally left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending months of widespread speculation about his political future.

The governor announced his defection on Tuesday evening during a meeting with stakeholders at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

His move comes just days after 17 PDP lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly—led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule—resigned from the party and joined the APC.

Speaking at the meeting, Fubara told attendees he had “good news” for the state and confirmed he had met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday to brief him on the latest political developments.

He commended President Tinubu for supporting Rivers State and for helping the state navigate its recent political turmoil. According to Fubara, it was now “better for us to move from where we are to where it is better for Rivers State.”

Smiling as he addressed his supporters, the governor expressed confidence that Rivers State has the political base and population to make a strong transition into the APC.

Observers recall that one of the conditions reportedly raised during President Tinubu’s peace negotiations between Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, included the possibility of Fubara joining the APC.

For many analysts, the governor’s defection was expected—particularly because he did not publicly acknowledge the PDP governors who went to court over the federal government’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers between March 18 and September 18, which led to the suspension of the governor, his deputy, and the 32-member House of Assembly.

Fubara’s switch means all six states in the South-South region are now under APC control, fueling concerns among some political observers about a potential drift toward a one-party system.

Meanwhile, Rivers PDP Chairman, Hon. Robinson Ewor, told Vanguard earlier that he would not follow the governor out of the party.

“He has the right to choose where he wants to belong. But if he leaves the PDP today, I will not follow him anywhere,” Ewor said.

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