Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has publicly attributed the difficulties he faced during the recent political crisis in the state to his former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The crisis saw Fubara locked in a prolonged struggle with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over control of the PDP’s structure and leadership in Rivers State.
In an effort to restore stability, President Bola Tinubu temporarily suspended both Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
After his reinstatement in September, Fubara formally left the PDP to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, following the defection of several key members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to the party.
Speaking with journalists at the APC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Fubara described himself as “a progressive at heart” and emphasized his commitment to fostering unity within the APC to accelerate development in both Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Reflecting on his time with the PDP, Fubara expressed that his affiliation with the party had always been nominal. He said much of the political pressure and challenges he faced were imposed by the party itself.
“When you say I am a new member of the progressive family, that is correct. But I have always been a progressive at heart,” Fubara said. “Now we have a clear direction. Previously, perhaps, we lacked leadership or a governor as the head of the party. My goal now is to unite everyone for the progress and cohesion of the APC in the state.”
On the ease of his transition to the APC, Fubara added, “Joining the All Progressives Congress was simple for me. It was about gratitude—thanking Mr. President and partnering with other progressives to develop Rivers State and Nigeria. It wasn’t a difficult decision; it was straightforward. If you understand my story, it becomes clear.”
He further clarified, “Was I really a member of the PDP? Not in a meaningful way. About 90 percent of what I endured during the crisis came from the party itself. My involvement was largely nominal—I was more of an observer than a participant, standing on the balcony rather than being inside the house.”
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Fubara’s defection marks a significant shift in Rivers State politics, signaling a potential consolidation of APC influence in the oil-rich state ahead of upcoming elections.
