Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara defects to APC

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), announcing his decision at a stakeholders meeting in Government House, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.
‎
The decision was finalized after a meeting between Governor Fubara and President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Monday. Fubara stated that the decision was necessary to fully align with the Federal Government and President Tinubu’s administration.

We can’t support President Tinubu if we don’t fully identify with him, not just the backyard support. So we have made that decision here today that everyone who has followed and suffered with me, the decision this evening is that we are moving to the APC

‎Fubara’s defection follows a prolonged power struggle between him and his predecessor, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Dawn Herald reported that the majority of the State House of Assembly members, who are loyal to Wike, had previously defected to the APC.
‎
Fubara’s defection comes nearly six months after his suspension from office over a political crisis that prompted the intervention from president Tinubu.
‎
Recall, Dawn Herald reported that on March 18, 2025, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the State House of Assembly for six months.
‎
The intervention was aimed at resolving the political turmoil that had paralyzed governance and was deemed necessary to restore stability. The President appointed a sole administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, to oversee governance during the period. ‎Fubara resumed office after the six-month suspension, pledging to abide by the President’s peace deal and work towards reconciliation in the state.
‎
‎Governor Fubara now joins forces with other South-South and South-East PDP governors who have defected to the APC, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, and Bayelsa counterpart Duoye Siri in the cross-over.
‎
‎